Venezuela Eliminates Defending Champion Japan, 8-5, to Reach WBC Semifinals

A momentum-shifting relief outing followed by a late three-run homer propelled Venezuela into a semifinal date with Italy.

Overview

Wilyer Abreu launched a go-ahead three-run homer in the sixth inning after singles by Ezequiel Tovar and Gleyber Torres.
Left-hander Enmanuel de Jesus steadied Venezuela with 2.1 scoreless innings, striking out three to halt Japan's rally.
Jose Butto, Andrés Machado and Daniel Palencia combined to close out the final frames, limiting Japan to a pair of late singles.
Ezequiel Tovar delivered a multi-hit night with extra-base damage, aggressive baserunning and a highlight defensive finish.
Keider Montero is slated to start the semifinal against Italy after a quarterfinal that opened with leadoff homers by Ronald Acuña Jr. and Shohei Ohtani, and saw Seiya Suzuki exit with an injury.