WBC: Puerto Rico 5, Netherlands 0

San Juan, Puerto Rico -- Jonathan Sanchez and seven relievers combined on a shutout Wednesday, bringing Puerto Rico a 5-0 decision over the Netherlands in the World Baseball Classic.

Both teams advanced out of Pool D and will return to action in Miami Saturday.

The Netherlands survived the tournament's first double-elimination round by shocking the Dominican Republic twice in less than a week.

Wednesday's game merely determined the teams' initial opponents in the second round. Puerto Rico will meet the United States, which suffered a 5-3 loss to Venezuela in its placement game Wednesday. The Netherlands will take on Venezuela to open the second round.

Sanchez allowed two hits and a walk while striking out four over four innings. Alex Rios tripled, walked twice, scored and drove in a run for Puerto Rico.

Copyright 2009 by United Press International.