WBC: Cuba 14, Taiwan 0 (7 innings)

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TOKYO, March 9 (UPI) -- Frederich Cepeda and Yasmany Tomas each hit home runs and knocked in three runs Saturday in Cuba's 14-0 pounding of Taiwan in a WBC elimination game.

Cuba, already up 6-0, scored eight times in the sixth inning, bringing the mercy rule into effect. Cuban pitching limited Taiwan to four hits -- all singles -- in the win.

The decision keeps Cuba in the World Baseball Classic, with another Pool 1 elimination game Monday. Japan and the Netherlands, which both won Pool 1 games Friday, play Sunday. The loser of that game goes against Cuba Monday.

Taiwan, which won Pool B in the first round, was eliminated after going 2-3 in the WBC.

Cuban starting pitcher Danny Betancourt (1-0) went six innings, giving up three hits and walking two while striking out three in getting the win.

Cepeda spotted Betancourt a lead in the first with a two-run home run off Taiwan starter Lo Ching-Lung (0-1). Tomas had a three-run home run in Cuba's four-run fourth inning.

Cuba had eight consecutive batters reach base in the sixth, with back-to-back home runs by Jose Abreu and Alfredo Despaigne completing the rally.