Venezuela overtakes Italy, units up WBC last vs. USA


Mar 16, 2026; Miami, FL, United States; Venezuela outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. (21) reacts after sliding into third base within the seventh inning in opposition to Venezuela throughout a semifinal recreation of the 2026 World Baseball Basic at loanDepot Park. Obligatory Credit score: Sam Navarro-Imagn Photos

Maikel Garcia hit a tiebreaking single within the seventh inning for Workforce Venezuela, which superior to the World Baseball Basic championship recreation by beating Workforce Italy 4-2 on Monday in Miami.

Venezuela, which pieced collectively 4 straight two-out hits in a three-run seventh, will play the US for the title Tuesday evening in Miami. America beat the Dominican Republic 2-1 on Sunday within the first semifinal.

Venezuela is searching for its first championship whereas the US is aiming for its second crown. Each groups went 3-1 in pool play earlier than successful their first two video games within the knockout rounds.

The loss was the primary of the WBC for Italy, which made a Cinderella run to the semifinals by going 4-0 in Pool B play earlier than beating Puerto Rico 8-6 in a quarterfinal at Houston on Saturday.

Italy, which took a 2-0 lead within the second when J.J. D’Orazio drew a bases-loaded stroll and Dante Nori hit right into a run-scoring groundout, was eight outs away from one other upset when Venezuela rallied in opposition to dropping pitcher Michael Lorenzen.

Gleyber Torres labored a leadoff stroll within the seventh earlier than Lorenzen whiffed Wilyer Abreu and William Contreras. Venezuela pulled off a hit-and-run through which Jackson Chourio singled pinch runner Andres Gimenez to 3rd.

Ronald Acuna Jr. adopted with a grounder to the third base facet of brief, the place Sam Antonacci picked the ball cleanly however bounced the throw to first as Acuna Jr. arrived safely and Torres scored.

Garcia delivered the go-ahead single to left, scoring Chourio, earlier than Luis Arraez supplied insurance coverage by singling dwelling Acuna.

Angel Zerpa earned the win by getting obtained the ultimate two outs of the sixth. Eduard Bazardo and Andres Machado threw an ideal inning apiece earlier than Daniel Palencia earned his second save by placing out two in a 1-2-3 ninth.

Venezuela beginning pitcher Keider Montero gave up the 2 runs in 1 1/3 innings.

Garcia and Torres had two hits apiece for Venezuela.

Italy starter Aaron Nola allowed one run in 4 innings. Zach Dezenzo had two hits for Italy.

–Subject Degree Media



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