EASLEY—The rule, it seems, at the 2010 Big League World Series has been that games generally end before the standard seven innings, due to the “Mercy Rule,” which ends a game after five or more innings if one team lead by 10 or more runs.

So Sunday night’s game between Puerto Rico and the Netherlands was definitely the exception.

Tony Mendez singled with the base loaded in the bottom of the eighth inning do drive Jean Cuevas home for the winning run as Puerto Rico topped the Netherlands 2-1.

Luiz Benitez, who pitched the eighth inning for Puerto Rico, was credited with the win. Ian Delemarre was credited with the loss.

The Netherlands loaded the bases in the top of the first, but hit into a double play and ended the inning scoreless.

In the bottom of the first, Jean Cuevas doubled, then moved to third base on a double by Luiz Benitez. Cuevas scored on a passed ball.

Neither team scored in the next five innings. In the top of the seventh, Rossini Frolijk reached on an error, then moved to second on a throwing error. Urving Kemp then singled to load the bases. Max Pleogstra then drew a walk to drive in the tying run.

In the eighth inning, Jean Cuevas singled, then moved to third bas on Wigberto Nevares’ double. Michael Perez was intentionally walked to load the bases. Then Tony Mendez hit his single to drive in the winning run.

The Netherlands completes BLWS play with a 1-3 record.

Puerto Rico will face Panama in the International Semi-Finals Tuesday night.