Venezuela beats Italy, sets up WBC final against US | Baseball News

Venezuela has advanced to its first World Baseball Classic final and will play the host nation for the title in Florida.

Mikel Garcia hit a tie-breaking single in the seventh inning as Venezuela advanced to the World Baseball Classic (WBC) championship game by defeating Italy 4-2 on Monday in Miami.

Venezuela, which put together four straight two-out hits in a three-run seventh, will play the United States for the title Tuesday night in Miami. The US beat the Dominican Republic 2-1 in the first semifinal on Sunday.

Venezuela is trying for its first championship, while the US is aiming for its second crown. Both teams were 3-1 in pool play before winning their first two games in the knockout rounds.

The WBC’s first loss was to Italy, who cruised to the Cinderella semifinals 4-0 in Pool B play before beating Puerto Rico 8-6 in the quarterfinals in Houston on Saturday.

Italy, who took a 2-0 lead in the second when JJ D’Orazio drew a bases-loaded walk and Dante Nori hit a run-scoring groundout, was eight away from another upset when Venezuela rallied against losing pitcher ⁠Michael Lorenzen.

Gleyber Torres drew a leadoff walk in the seventh before Lorenzen struck out Villiers Abreu and William Contreras. Venezuela pulled off a hit-and-run in which Jackson Chaurio advanced pinch runner Andres Gimenez to third.

Ronald Acuna Jr. followed with a grounder to the third base side of the short, where Sam Antonacci picked off the ball cleanly but the throw bounced to first, Acuna got safe and Gimenez scored.

Garcia delivered a single to left, scoring Chaurio, before Luis Araz provided the insurance by singling home Acuna.

Angel Zerpa got the win by getting two outs in the bottom of the sixth. Edward Bajardo and Andres Machado each threw perfect innings, while Daniel Palencia went 1-2-3 with two outs to earn his second save.

Venezuela starting pitcher Kaidar Montero gave up two runs in 1 1/3 innings.

Garcia and Torres each had two hits for Venezuela.

Italy starter Aaron Nola allowed one run in four innings. Zach Degenzo had two hits for Italy.