Venezuela has reached its first-ever World Baseball Classic final and will face the host nation, the United States, for the championship in Florida.
Maikel Garcia delivered a go‑ahead single in the seventh inning to lift Venezuela into the World Baseball Classic (WBC) title game with a 4‑2 win over Italy on Monday in Miami. Venezuela rallied with four straight two‑out hits in a three‑run seventh to take the lead.
Venezuela will now face the United States for the championship on Tuesday night at LoanDepot Park in Miami, after the U.S. beat the Dominican Republic 2‑1 in the first semifinal.
Gleyber Torres drew a leadoff walk in the seventh inning before pitcher Michael Lorenzen struck out Wilyer Abreu and William Contreras. Venezuela then executed a hit‑and‑run, with Jackson Chourio’s single — that scored pinch runner Andrés Gimenez at third.
Ronald Acuña Jr. followed with a ground ball to the shortstop’s side, and although Sam Antonacci fielded it cleanly, his throw bounced, allowing Acuña to reach safely and Gimenez to score.
Garcia hit a go-ahead single to left field, driving in Chourio, and Luis Arraez added an insurance run by singling Acuña home.
Angel Zerpa picked up the win by recording the last two outs of the sixth inning, while Eduard Bazardo and Andrés Machado each threw a spotless inning. Daniel Palencia then closed it out with a 1‑2‑3 ninth, striking out two batters to earn his second save. ([turn1search0][turn1search5])
Venezuela’s starter, Keider Montero, allowed both of Italy’s runs over 1 1/3 innings before the bullpen took over. ([turn1search0])
Maikel Garcia and Gleyber Torres each finished with two hits for Venezuela. ([turn1search0])
On the Italian side, starter Aaron Nola gave up one run in four innings, and Zach Dezenzo had two hits in the loss. ([turn1search0])
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