WBC Daily: Japan's Reign Ends; Italy's Espresso-Fueled Run Continues
#World Baseball Classic #Japan elimination #Italy semifinals #Venezuela victory #quarterfinals #Miami #baseball tournament #surprise run
📌 Key Takeaways
- Defending champion Japan eliminated by Venezuela in quarterfinals, ending their reign.
- Italy continues surprising undefeated run, advancing to semifinals after beating Puerto Rico.
- Venezuela and Italy will face each other in the first semifinal in Miami.
- The USA-Dominican Republic winner will meet the Venezuela-Italy victor in the final.
📖 Full Retelling
We are down to the final four of the World Baseball Classic, and we'll have a new champion. Defending champion Japan is out after losing to Venezuela in Saturday's quarterfinals. The South American squad now joins two star-studded powerhouses and one espresso-powered surprise for the semifinals in Miami. Italy took down Puerto Rico earlier on Saturday and will now join the party in Miami, where the Azzurri will face Venezuela on Monday. Awaiting them will be the winner of the USA-Dominican Republic semifinal, which will be played on Sunday (8 p.m. ET on FOX). Recapping Saturday's action from the World Baseball Classic and taking a peek at Sunday's first semifinal game: Italy Continues Surprise Run; Reaches Semifinals The magical run continues for undefeated Italy, which will be taking its Armani suits, espresso machines, cheek-kisses and, most importantly, high-powered offense to the World Baseball Classic semifinals after holding off a late charge from Puerto Rico in Saturday’s quarterfinal to seal an 8-6 win. "It’s amazing," Italy manager Francisco Cervelli said. "This is great. This is one of the best chapters of my life. It’s incredible. This group, it’s phenomenal." Italy didn’t homer Saturday after hitting a dozen through its first four wins — and downing espresso shots after each dinger. But its offense still packed enough of a jolt to send the Puerto Ricans home after they had made the quarterfinals for a sixth time. "There were some special bottles of wine today," first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino said with a smile. Saturday’s victory came after Italy handed the United States a surprising 8-6 loss in pool play. The Azzurri followed with a 9-1 defeat of Mexico that provided the help the Americans needed to reach the quarterfinals. Next up for Italy? A date with the team that ousted the champions. Japan Ousted By Venezuela in Home-Run Fest When Ronald Acuña Jr. homered off Yoshinobu Yamamoto in the first inning, there was a feeling this game would be fun. When
🏷️ Themes
Tournament Upsets, Semifinal Matchups
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We are down to the final four of the World Baseball Classic, and we'll have a new champion. Defending champion Japan is out after losing to Venezuela in Saturday's quarterfinals. The South American squad now joins two star-studded powerhouses and one espresso-powered surprise for the semifinals in Miami. Italy took down Puerto Rico earlier on Saturday and will now join the party in Miami, where the Azzurri will face Venezuela on Monday. Awaiting them will be the winner of the USA-Dominican Republic semifinal, which will be played on Sunday (8 p.m. ET on FOX). Recapping Saturday's action from the World Baseball Classic and taking a peek at Sunday's first semifinal game: Italy Continues Surprise Run; Reaches Semifinals The magical run continues for undefeated Italy, which will be taking its Armani suits, espresso machines, cheek-kisses and, most importantly, high-powered offense to the World Baseball Classic semifinals after holding off a late charge from Puerto Rico in Saturday’s quarterfinal to seal an 8-6 win. "It’s amazing," Italy manager Francisco Cervelli said. "This is great. This is one of the best chapters of my life. It’s incredible. This group, it’s phenomenal." Italy didn’t homer Saturday after hitting a dozen through its first four wins — and downing espresso shots after each dinger. But its offense still packed enough of a jolt to send the Puerto Ricans home after they had made the quarterfinals for a sixth time. "There were some special bottles of wine today," first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino said with a smile. Saturday’s victory came after Italy handed the United States a surprising 8-6 loss in pool play. The Azzurri followed with a 9-1 defeat of Mexico that provided the help the Americans needed to reach the quarterfinals. Next up for Italy? A date with the team that ousted the champions. Japan Ousted By Venezuela in Home-Run Fest When Ronald Acuña Jr. homered off Yoshinobu Yamamoto in the first inning, there was a feeling this game would be fun. When
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