Major League Baseball

Cardenales advances in Serie de las Americas

Published Nov. 21, 2015 11:58 p.m. ET

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MIAMI (AP) Nestor Molina allowed one run in six innings to help Cardenales de Lara beat Navegantes del Magallanes 7-1 on Saturday in the inaugural Serie de las Americas tournament at Marlins Park.

Molina struck out five and walked one, allowing six hits. The 26-year-old righty pitched in Double-A for the White Sox in 2014.

The game counts in the Venezuelan Winter League standings. Lara advance to the championship game Sunday against Aquillas Cibaenas.

Cardenales manager Luis Dorante said his team was jet-lagged after playing in Venezuela on Thursday night, getting on a plane and finally arriving in Miami on Friday at 4 p.m.

''Our team did not sleep,'' Dorante said. ''There wasn't the requisite time to rest. It didn't look like it by the way we played, but we were tired. I think it was tough for both teams.''

Cardenales overcame a 1-0 first-inning deficit by scoring four times in the third. Shortstop Juniel Querecuto led off with a triple, and the Cardenales went on to knock out Magallanes starting pitcher Bobby Blevins. The other big hit in the inning was a two-run double by right fielder Maikol Gonzalez.

Blevins lasted just 2 2-3 innings, allowing five hits, one walk and four runs.

Querecuto, who reached Triple-A in the Tampa Bay system this year, got two hits and improved his average to .359.

Left fielder Jairo Perez doubled, singled and stole a base, and is hitting .333.

''Pitching in this stadium was an awesome experience,'' Blevins said. ''I wish the results were a little bit different. I know I have work to do to help this team win.''

The 30-year-old righty pitched in Triple-A for the Dodgers in 2010.

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