Venezuela comes back and eliminates champion Japan in the World Classic

ByDavid Mitchell
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Venezuela came from behind and surprised Shohei Ohtani and Japan, to face Italy in the semifinals of the 2026 World Baseball Classic

MIAMI — Wilyer Abreu connected a three run home run which meant the advantage after Maikel Garcia ignited the comeback with a two-run home runand Venezuela expired on saturday 8-5 to Shohei Ohtani and to defending champion Japan in it World Baseball Classic 2026 for advance at semi-finals.

Venezuela advanced to the round of four for the first time since 2009 and secured a place in the six-nation group for the 2028 Olympic baseball tournamentalong with USA and Dominican Republic.

On Monday, Venezuela will face undefeated Italy. One day before, the United States plays against the Dominicans.

Abreu gave Venezuela a 7-5 lead in the sixth inning, when he hit a home run against the defeated Hiromi Itohby punishing a four-seam fastball with a 2-1 count and sending the ball 409 feet to right field.

It was his first home run of the tournament.

Ezequiel Tovar made it 8-5 in the eighth, opening with a double and then scoring on an error on a shot. Atsuki Taneichi in an attempt to surprise him in second.

Ohtani’s third home run of the tournament was not enough for Japan, which saw its 11-game winning streak in the World Classic snapped.

Ohtani, the 2023 World Classic MVP, led off the bottom of the first inning by lifting a 2-1 slider from Ranger Suárez to land 427 feet in center field after Ronald Acuña Jr. homered on Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s second pitch.

Acuña Jr. hit a fastball and catapulted the ball 401 feet between right and center field for his second WBC home run.

Enmanuel de Jesús pitched two and a third scoreless innings to take the victory, and Daniel Palencia earned the save, sentencing the fate of Japan, getting Ohtani to pop a lob for the last out.

Japan led 5-2 after a four-run third inning in which Shota Morishitawho replaced the injured Seiya Suzuki in center field, hit a tie-breaking three-run homer against Suárez.

The veteran left-hander, who had earned a victory in a group stage game against the Netherlands, went 2 2/3 innings Saturday, allowing three hits, five runs and two home runs.

García hit a home run on the eighth pitch against Chihiro Sumida to bring Venezuela closer to 5-4 in the fifth act.

David Mitchell
David Mitchell

As a passionate sports journalist with over a decade of experience, I strive to uncover the heart and soul behind every game. Supported by a dedicated team of fellow enthusiasts and storytellers, I am committed to delivering insightful and engaging content that connects fans worldwide. Together, we celebrate the victories, challenges, and unifying spirit of sports through every article we craft.