CAROLINA, P.R. -- When the final pitch had been thrown, more than six hours after the first one was unleashed, the matchup between Venezuela and the Dominican Republic in the first game of the 2007 Caribbean Series had succeeded in giving a few lucky fans at Roberto Clemente Walker Stadium exactly what they had been waiting for all afternoon -- bragging rights.

But nobody went home empty-handed.

The Caribbean Series goody bag featured a glimpse of history, the equivalent of two full games for the price of one and an afternoon of baseball that extended well into the evening courtesy of the Dominican Republic's 4-3 victory against Venezuela in 18 innings.

And on a night of many heroes, it is veteran Tony Batista who will be remembered the most. The third baseman hit a sacrifice fly to center field with the bases loaded to score Bernie Castro for the game-winner in the bottom of the 18th. He also hit a home run.

"It was a long game, and we are tired, but we never stopped trying," Dominican Republic manager Felix Fermin said. "You have to give credit to both teams and to all the pitchers who pitched today. It was a tough game. You do not feel as tired in a game like this."

Venezuelan shortstop Ronny Cedeno might have a different opinion. He came thisclose to stealing the spotlight.

With the game tied at 2, third baseman Luis Maza and Cedeno hit back-to-back doubles in the top of the 18th inning off Hector Almonte to snap a 10-inning deadlock and put Venezuela ahead by one run. But the Dominican Republic answered with two runs, the first by Alberto Castillo in the bottom half of the frame to tie the game at 3. Castillo reached on a two-base error and advanced to third on an error by Venezuela catcher Steve Torrealba before Castro drove him in.

Castro came home four batters later.

The 18-inning game established a record for the most innings played in a Caribbean Series game, and the length of the game -- six hours and 13 minutes -- also established a record. The previous record for the most innings played in a Caribbean Series was 16 innings, a mark established in 1989.

The Dominican Republic, represented by Winter League champion Aguilas Cibaenas, plays Mexico on Saturday afternoon. Venezuela's Tigres de Aragua squares off against Puerto Rico in Saturday's nightcap. Venezuela and the Dominican Republic meet again on Monday.

Venezuela scored the series' first run in the fourth inning, when Jose Castillo scored on a single to right field by Cedeno to give the Tigres a 1-0 lead. Castillo hit a double to center field off Dominican Republic starter Jose Lima with one out to set up Cedeno's base hit.

"Castillo had as good of at-bats as you are going to see," Venezuela manager Buddy Bailey said. "We just didn't do enough offensively. Maybe I'll put some guys in there tomorrow who were not in there today."

Bailey is frustrated, with good reason. Venezuela's lead did not last long.

Baltimore shortstop Miguel Tejada, playing his 10th Caribbean Series and eighth in a row, hit a solo home run in the bottom of the fourth off Venezuela's Horacio Estrada to tie the game at 1. Tejada's home run was his 11th in Caribbean Series play, tying Tony Armas for the most all-time by a single player.

"Playing in Puerto Rico is very special because of all of the fans we have here," Tejada said. "It's like playing at home. I always love playing in the Caribbean Series. I love this experience."

He's not the only one.

Castillo stung the Dominican Republic squad again, this time in the sixth inning, when he smacked a double to center field that scored Oscar Salazar from second base to put Venezuela ahead. Salazar reached on a single and advanced to second base on an error by Dominican Republic first baseman Jose Fernandez.

Lima would not face another batter, and finished the evening with a respectable line: two runs, eight hits and five strikeouts in five innings of work for the Aguilas.

"This was my first time [playing] in a Caribbean Series in Puerto Rico, and I was surprised," Lima said. "To look up in the stands and see all the flags across people's chest made you feel proud to be out there. I'm really happy."

Not to be outdone, the Dominican Republic answered in the bottom half of the sixth inning with a solo home run by Batista for a 2-2 tie.

As for Estrada, he was charged with four hits and two runs in six innings before yielding to Victor Moreno to start the seventh inning.

He was one of 13 total pitchers used in the game. The teams combined to throw 528 pitches.

"All 25 men on our team are important, and pitchers are at a premium," Bailey said. "I'm just going to have them play catch and see how they feel. Maybe it will rain, but that would not do much good, because this place is turf."