Baseball World Classic: Venezuela defeated the reigning champion Japan 8-5 and advanced to the semifinals
The Venezuelan team achieved a historic victory by defeating Japan, the reigning champion of the Baseball World Classic, 7-5.
TL;DR
- Venezuela defeated Japan 8-5 to reach the Baseball World Classic semifinals.
- Ronald Acuña Jr. hit an opening home run for Venezuela, with Shohei Ohtani tying the game for Japan.
- Gleyber Torres's double gave Venezuela a 2-1 lead in the second inning.
- Japan took a temporary lead in the third inning with a three-run homer by Shota Morishita.
- Maikel García narrowed the gap in the fifth inning with a home run.
- Wilyer Abreu's three-run homer in the sixth inning secured Venezuela's lead.
- Venezuela advances to face Italy in the semifinals.
- This victory also qualifies Venezuela for the Olympic Games.
- Venezuela finished the group stage with a 3-1 record after losing to the Dominican Republic.
- Japan had a perfect 4-0 record in the group stage.