Japan’s hopes of setting up a blockbuster showdown with Team USA – and defending its World Baseball Classic title – were ended by Venezuela in a stunning upset on Saturday night.
Shohei Ohtani and Co were favorites to win the international tournament but Japan suffered an 8-5 loss to Venezuela on a rollercoaster night in Miami.
The dramatic game swung on an incredible three-run homer from Wilyer Abreu that saw Venezuela move 7-5 in front in the sixth inning.
The underdogs now head to the semifinals, where they will play Italy. The United States will take on Dominican Republic for a place in the final.
Aaron Judge’s team booked its place in the last four with victory over Canada on Saturday.
After sneaking through to the knockout stages of the WBC – despite humiliation against Italy in Pool B – the Americans made light work of their northern rivals in the quarterfinals.
The Canadians launched a late sixth-inning rally but that wasn’t enough to prevent the USA from securing a 5-3 win in Houston, Texas.
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