Miguel Olivo homered twice and drove in five runs as the Dominican Republic rebounded from a startling loss at the World Baseball Classic by beating Panama 9-0 in an elimination game Sunday.
Nelson Cruz also homered and winning pitcher Johnny Cueto struck out five in 4 2-3 innings for the Dominicans, upset by the Netherlands 3-2 on Saturday in the opening game of Pool D play.
"This team bats well, but it must have patience. Today we were inspired," Olivo said. "There was no room for error."
Panama was eliminated from the 16-team tournament after it was outscored 16-0 in two games, including Saturday's defeat against Puerto Rico at Hiram Bithorn Stadium.
"Eighteen innings without a run. A team can't win like that," Panama manager Hector Lopez said.
Next, the Dominican Republic will play another elimination game Tuesday against the loser of Monday's game between Puerto Rico and the Netherlands.
"Either of them will be difficult. We know that Puerto Rico is scary and has three great starting pitchers. And the Netherlands has already beat us," Dominican Republic manager Felipe Alou said. "Both are tough opponents, but we will have more energy now."
After their big bats sputtered against the Netherlands, the Dominicans finally started hitting Sunday. They took advantage of two Panama miscues on defense to score three times in the third inning, capped by David Ortiz's RBI single. Willy Taveras and Fernando Tatis each knocked in a run during the rally.
Robinson Cano was aboard for Olivo's two-run shot in the fourth. Cruz hit a solo drive in the sixth, and Olivo made it 9-0 with a three-run homer in the eighth.
Cueto gave up three hits and walked one. He got solid relief from Julian Tavarez, Rafael Perez and Tony Pena.
Starting pitcher Ramiro Mendoza took the loss, allowing five runs _ two earned _ and four hits in four innings.
