Venezuela staged a dramatic seventh-inning comeback with three two-out singles to overcome Italy 4-2, clinching their first-ever spot in the World Baseball Classic championship game where they will face the United States.
The echoes of a pro-Venezuelan sellout crowd at loanDepot park reached a fever pitch as Ronald Acuña Jr., Maikel Garcia, and Luis Arraez delivered consecutive run-scoring, two-out singles in the seventh inning, transforming a modest rally into a historic 4-2 semifinal victory over Italy.
This win marks a monumental milestone for Venezuelan baseball, sending them to their first World Baseball Classic championship game. Their journey includes a resilient quarterfinal comeback against defending champion Japan and now sets up a title clash with the United States, who also entered the final with a 5-1 record after winning a coin toss for home-field advantage earlier Monday.
For Venezuela, this culmination breaks a semifinal curse; their only previous WBC semifinal appearance in 2009 ended in a loss to South Korea. The 2026 run has been defined by clutch hitting and bullpen grit, personified by Ángel Zerpa escaping a bases-loaded jam in the sixth and Daniel Palencia slamming the door with a save.
Italy’s valiant run as the first European nation to reach a WBC semifinal fell just short. After a perfect 5-0 start, their underdog story captivated fans with an espresso-sipping ritual after homers and victory toasts with Italian wine. But a roster heavy on minor leaguers, with only three Italy-born players, couldn’t withstand thedepth of Venezuela’s batting order or the pressure of a late-inning deficit.
The game’s turning point began in the fourth when Eugenio Suárez launched a homer off Aaron Nola to halve Italy’s 2-0 lead. Italy had struck first in the second via three straight walks by Keider Montero, culminating in a forceout by Dante Nori. Yet, Venezuela’s persistence paid off in the seventh after Gleyber Torres walked and Jackson Chourio singled with two outs.
- Acuña Jr. grounded a ball to the shortstop hole, beating the throw to score pinch-runner Andrés Giménez.
- Garcia lined a 2-0 fastball to left field, driving in Chourio for the lead.
- Arraez singled on a full-count fastball, chasing reliever Michael Lorenzen and completing the comeback.
The offensive explosion against Lorenzen underscored Venezuela’s relentless approach, especially with two outs—a trait that has defined their tournament.
Pitching matchups for the final are taking shape, with Eduardo Rodríguez likely starting for Venezuela against the United States’ Nolan McLean. Both teams’ stars, including Acuña Jr. and Arraez for Venezuela, will look to carry their momentum onto the global stage.
This WBC has already celebrated global participation, from Italy’s charismatic rituals to Venezuela’s fervent fanbase. The final promises a clash of styles: the United States’ powerhouse roster versus Venezuela’s cohesive, battle-tested squad.
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