World Baseball Classic: Miguel Cabrera’s Homer Seals Victory for Venezuela
By Keaton Moore
After holding off elimination against Mexico, Venezuela advanced to the second round of the World Baseball Classic with their late-game victory over Italy.
Even though Team Italy came three outs away from advancing to the second round of the World Baseball Classic, the Venezuelans rallied in the ninth inning to eventually win the game 4-3.
Led by the phenomenal start from A.J. Morris, Daniel Descalso’s RBI single in the first kept Italy ahead until the sixth inning. In his five-inning start, Morris held Venezuela hitless while striking out five and allowing one walk.
Although Ender Inciarte tied the game at one with an RBI single in the sixth inning, Italy’s John Andreoli regained the lead with a home run in the seventh.
However, after being silenced for nearly the entire game, Venezuela went ahead with three runs in the ninth. Miguel Cabrera started the inning with a game-tying home run that led to Rougned Odor hitting an RBI single to take the lead.
As it turned out, Alcides Escobar’s sacrifice bunt brought home the game-winning run as Alex Liddi started the bottom of the ninth with a leadoff homer. Regardless, Francisco Rodriguez settled in to earn the save and maintain Venezuela’s lead.
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While Team Italy packs their bags for their return flight, Venezuela’s next opponent will be Team USA at 6:00 p.m. PST on Wednesday, March 15.