Although Japan made history Saturday when it fielded its first team in a Caribbean Series, Japan Breeze, it was Leones del Escogido of the Dominican Republic that dominated play in Day 2 action at Nido de las ?guilas Stadium in Mexicali, Baja California, Mexico, in a 12-1 win.

Saturday evening, the Charros de Jalisco (Mexico) edged Cardenales de Lara (Venezuela) in the second game, 2-1.

Former Major League hurler Johnny Cueto, a key piece in manager Albert Pujols¡¯ starting rotation in Escogido¡¯s run to the Dominican League championship, continued his run of quality innings this winter with six frames of one-hit ball, one unearned run, two strikeouts and no walks to notch the win. In the Dominican Republic¡¯s first two games, its pitching staff has not given up an earned run, shutting out the Cardenales in the tournament¡¯s opener Friday.

On Saturday, Escogido¡¯s offense was led by Yamaico Navarro, who went 2-2 with two walks, two runs scored and two RBIs. Jos¨¦ Marmolejos also drove in a pair, while Sanber Pimentel hit the game¡¯s only home run in the sixth inning off reliever Gaku Ueda.

Veteran starter Shuto Sakurai took the loss for the Japanese club, giving up four runs (three earned) in three innings.

Japan Breeze¡¯s offense had seven hits, but no extra-base knocks against Cueto and relievers Gabriel Ynoa, Cesilio Pimentel and Henry Sosa.

With a record of 2-0 in the four-game round robin stage, the Leones are one step away from qualifying for the Caribbean Series¡¯ sudden death semifinal round, to be played on Wednesday. On Sunday, the Dominican squad will face the host country¡¯s Charros in the second game of the day. With an 0-1 record, Japan Breeze will play in Sunday¡¯s first game vs. Indios de Mayag¨¹ez (Puerto Rico), a contest between two clubs seeking their first win in the tournament after opening with a loss.