Venezuela is thru to its first World Baseball Basic closing and can play the host nation for the title in Florida.
Printed On 17 Mar 2026
Maikel Garcia hit a tie-breaking single within the seventh inning for Venezuela, which superior to the World Baseball Basic (WBC) championship recreation by beating Italy 4-2 on Monday in Miami.
Venezuela, which pieced collectively 4 straight two-out hits in a three-run seventh, will play the USA for the title on Tuesday night time in Miami. The US beat the Dominican Republic 2-1 on Sunday within the first semifinal.
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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 profitable 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 JJ 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 towards 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 by which Jackson Chourio singled pinch runner Andres Gimenez to 3rd.
Ronald Acuna Jr adopted with a grounder to the third base facet of quick, the place Sam Antonacci picked the ball cleanly however bounced the throw to first, as Acuna arrived safely, and Gimenez scored.
Garcia delivered the go-ahead single to left, scoring Chourio, earlier than Luis Arraez offered insurance coverage by singling residence Acuna.
Angel Zerpa earned the win by getting the ultimate two outs of the sixth. Eduard Bazardo and Andres Machado threw a good 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 two 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.
