01:00 AM EST on Thursday, March 16, 2006

Cuba had two close calls go against it late in the game and still held on for a 4-3 victory over Puerto Rico last night at San Juan, Puerto Rico, to advance to the semifinals of the World Baseball Classic.

Ormari Romero allowed one run in four innings for Cuba (2-1), which will play the Dominican Republic in the single-elimination semifinal game on Saturday in San Diego.

In the first round of the WBC, Puerto Rico beat Cuba, 12-2, in a game stopped by the mercy rule after seven innings. But in a game that was win or go home, Cuba got revenge in front of a raucous Puerto Rican crowd.

It wasn't easy.

The Cubans were up, 4-1, in the seventh when Puerto Rico rallied.

With runners at the corners and no out, pinch hitter Ricky Ledee hit a grounder to second baseman Yulieski Gourriel, who tried to turn a double play. But Gourriel's throw pulled shortstop Eduardo Paret off the bag and Cuba managed to get only one out while giving up a run.

Cuban manager Higinio Velez was ejected for arguing the call with second base umpire James Hoye. Replays appeared to show Paret just barely off the base.

After Bernie Williams, who homered in the first inning, hit into double play to leave a runner at third and two outs, Ivan Rodriguez walked.

Carlos Beltran lined a single to center to bring in Cintron and center fielder Alexi Ramirez bobbled the ball. Ramirez relayed to Gourriel and Rodriguez was thrown out at the plate trying to score the tying run from first.

With the lead down to 4-3 in the eighth, Puerto Rico put runners on second and first with one out.

Jose Valentin then reached safely when pitcher Vicyohandry Odelin's throw in the dirt wasn't fielded cleanly by first baseman Joan Carlos Pedroso. It appeared on replays that Pedroso trapped the throw between his arm and his body.

Cuba argued the call to no avail and the bases were loaded. But Alex Cintron followed with an inning ending double play on a grounder to short.

Cuba scored three runs in the fourth on a hit-by-pitch with the bases loaded and a throwing error by Cintron, his third of the Classic. Cintron's wild throw allowed two runs to score and put Cuba up, 4-1.

Rocket's last flight?

Roger Clemens might be pitching in his last game tonight. And Team USA could be playing for the final time in the inaugural World Baseball Classic.

Clemens, a winner of 341 games in a magnificent career that began with the Boston Red Sox in 1984, opposes Mexico to complete Round 2 of the WBC at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, Calif.

Clemens has said he's leaning toward retirement after the Classic. As evidenced by his 13-8 record and N.L.-leading 1.87 E.R.A. for Houston last season, the 43-year-old right-hander still can do the job as well as anyone around.

"I know my immediate plans are I'll go back to Florida," Clemens said earlier this week. "My children are on spring break, so I know immediately what I'm going to do.

"It doesn't matter when I step away. I will miss competing, but I won't be too far from the game."

And if this is Clemens' last start?

"That's something you tell your grandkids about, especially if you do something to help get him a win," Team USA teammate Chipper Jones said yesterday following a workout at nearby Cal State Fullerton. "Throwing the ball back to him after an out, having him look at me and say, 'Let's go,' it's an experience.

"When Roger tells you, 'Let's get it on,' I think everybody kicks it up a notch. Guys will be huddled around, talking smack in the clubhouse, and once Roger walks in, it's like the parting of the Red Sea. He's got worldwide respect."

Clemens gave up one hit in 4 1/3 shutout innings against South Africa last Friday, walking none and striking out six.