Venezuela stunned defending champions Japan 8-5 in Miami, advancing to the World Baseball Classic semifinals for the first time since 2009. Ronald Acuna Jr. opened with a home run, but Shohei Ohtani responded immediately. Shota Morishita's three-run shot gave Japan a 5-2 lead, but Maikel Garcia’s two-run homer cut the gap. In the sixth, Wilyer Abreu launched a 409-foot, three-run blast to seal the lead.
The bullpen retired 13 straight batters, and Angel Zerpa struck out Ohtani to close it. The win also locks in Venezuela’s berth at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
In Houston, Italy defeated Puerto Rico 8-6 despite not relying on homers. JJ D'Orazio drove in three runs, Andrew Fischer added two. A four-run fourth inning put them ahead 8-2. Christian Vazquez’s two-run single in the eighth was too little, too late as reliever Greg Weissert earned his third save.
Italy, who beat the U.S. and Mexico en route to a 4-0 pool record, now meet Venezuela in the semifinals on Monday in Miami. The U.S. faces the Dominican Republic in Sunday’s other matchup.