Martinez, Arruebarrena homer to send Cuba past Colombia

Ariel Martinez and Erisbel Arruebarrena homered in a four-run first inning, helping Cuba improve to 2-0 in Group A following a 7-4 win over Colombia.

Yiddi Cappe added a big two-run triple in the sixth. Yoelkis Guibert had two of Cuba's eight hits, and Denny Larrondo pitched two innings for the win at Puerto Rico's Hiram Bithorn Stadium.

Cuba beat Panama 3-1 in its WBC opener on Friday. Next up is a showdown with Puerto Rico on Monday night.

Tito Polo drove in two runs for winless Colombia, which faces Panama on Monday. Gio Urshela had a run-scoring single.

Colombia is 2 for 28 with runners in scoring position over its three WBC games. It has left 29 runners on base.

Martinez hit a three-run shot to right on a 2-1 fastball from Luis Patiño. Roel Santos walked and Yoán Moncada was hit by a pitch before Martinez's opposite-field drive.

Arruebarrena made it 4-1 with a one-out solo shot, chasing Patiño.

Colombia trimmed Cuba's lead to 7-4 when Polo was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded in the seventh. But Luis Romero came in and retired pinch-hitter Daniel Vellojin on a bouncer back to the mound, ending the inning.

Cuba's Yoan López worked out of a jam in the eighth, and Raidel Martinez handled the ninth for his second save.