A dramatic seventh-inning rally propelled Venezuela into the World Baseball Classic final, creating a rematch with the USA at loanDepot Park.
The Venezuela national team beat Italy 4-2 on Monday evening at the World Baseball Classic and advanced to the final, where they will face the United States.
Venezuela erased a 0-2 deficit after the fourth inning thanks to a tense comeback that included a three-run rally, and earlier in the tournament they had already defeated the reigning champion Japan in the quarterfinals. This success allowed them to reach the final for the first time since the semifinals in 2009.
The title game will be against the United States on Tuesday night. Reports indicate that Eduardo Rodríguez could start against Nolan McLean. Both teams have a 5-1 record, and the draw determined the home team – the United States will host the game at loanDepot Park.
Italy, the first European country to reach the WBC semifinals, had shown a 5-0 mark in the tournament and drew attention with home celebrations of Italian wine after homers, but could not hold the lead late in the matchup against Venezuela’s batting order.
In the second inning Italy took the lead thanks to three consecutive hits by Cade Monteros, the last of which was off J. J. D’Orazio.
Dante Nori forced out against Ricardo Sanchez, starting a stretch of six relievers who finished the game with a five-hit barrage.
Eugenio Suárez started Venezuela’s comeback in the fourth inning off Aaron Nola; Ángel Zerpa avoided bases loaded in the sixth inning, throwing a cutter on the outer edge past Sam Antonatti.
Gleyber Torres opened the seventh with a leadoff; Jackson Chorio, with two outs, singled, loading the bases. Ronald Acuña Jr. grounded out to short and scored Chorio, Maikel García drove the ball to left-center, bringing in Chorio, and Luis Arráez delivered a bases-loaded single to the full count – Venezuela moved ahead, the score 4-2.
Daniel Palencia closed the game with three outs, fanning Antonatti, and Venezuela celebrated advancing to the final.