Venezuela Tops Italy and Prepares for WBC Championship Against the U.S.
Venezuela Advances to World Baseball Classic Championship after 4-2 Victory over Italy
MIAMI — Venezuela triumphed over Italy with a 4-2 win on Monday night, securing its place in the World Baseball Classic championship for the first time in history. The team’s seventh-inning surge, highlighted by two-out singles from Ronald Acuña Jr., Maikel Garcia, and Luis Arraez, turned the tide in the pivotal game.
After falling behind 2-0 in the fourth inning, Venezuela showcased its resilience by overcoming a similar deficit in the quarterfinals against defending champion Japan. This victory marks Venezuela’s first appearance in the championship game since its previous semifinal loss to South Korea in 2009.
Venezuela is set to face the United States for the title on Tuesday night, likely with Eduardo Rodríguez on the mound against the Americans’ Nolan McLean. A coin toss earlier in the day confirmed the United States as the designated home team, with both teams entering the final with a record of 5-1.
Italy made history as the first European nation to reach a WBC semifinal and entered the game with an undefeated record of 5-0. The team captured attention with celebratory rituals that included sipping espresso after home runs and toasting with Italian wine. However, despite a roster featuring several Major League players and Italy-born athletes, they struggled to maintain their early lead against a resilient Venezuelan lineup supported by a passionate crowd at Miami’s LoanDepot Park.
The game began with Italy taking the lead in the second inning when Keider Montero walked three consecutive batters, the last being J.J. D’Orazio. Dante Nori then drove in a run with a forceout against Ricardo Sánchez, who was part of a bullpen effort that limited Italy to just five hits.
The Venezuelan comeback began in the fourth inning with a home run from Eugenio Suárez off Aaron Nola. Ángel Zerpa, the winning pitcher, managed to escape a bases-loaded situation in the sixth, striking out Sam Antonacci with a well-placed sinker.
In the seventh inning, Gleyber Torres drew a walk, followed by a two-out single from Jackson Chourio, putting runners at the corners. Acuña found a gap in the infield, allowing pinch-runner Andrés Giménez to score. Garcia then drove in Chourio with a go-ahead single, and Arraez added a third run, extending Venezuela’s lead.
Daniel Palencia closed the game with three outs, striking out Antonacci to secure the victory for Venezuela. The team’s remarkable journey continues as they prepare for the final against the United States.
