WBC: Juan Soto, Dominican Republic top Nicaragua

San Diego Padres star Juan Soto went 2-for-4 with a solo home run and three runs from the leadoff spot to help the Dominican Republic earn its first victory of the World Baseball Classic, defeating Nicaragua 6-1 in Pool D play Monday in Miami.

Cristian Javier of the Houston Astros started and pitched four scoreless innings with four strikeouts and just two hits and a walk for the Dominican Republic (1-1).

Soto scored on a fielding error in the top of the first and homered in the sixth, while Padres teammate Manny Machado and Eloy Jimenez of the Chicago White Sox each added two hits and an RBI.

Elian Miranda drove in Steven Leyton on a single in the eighth to help Nicaragua (0-3) avoid the shutout.