Italy upsets Team USA in World Baseball Classic shocker - ESPN

HOUSTON — Following the United States' stunning 8-6 loss to Italy on Tuesday night, among the biggest upsets in the 20-year history of the World Baseball Classic, manager Mark DeRosa said he misspoke earlier in the day when he said Team USA had advanced to the tournament's knockout round.

In an appearance Tuesday morning with Matt Vasgersian and Harold Reynolds on «Hot Stove» on MLB Network, where DeRosa works as an analyst, he said of the game against Italy: «We want to win this game even though our ticket's punched to the quarterfinals.»

Team USA's ticket was not punched — and its fate now depends on the results of Italy and Mexico's contest Wednesday night, the final game of the WBC's Pool B.

Should Italy win and finish pool play at 4-0, the United States would advance as well. If Mexico wins, however, it would finish at 3-1 along with Italy and the U.S. In that case, the tiebreaker that would determine which two teams advance to the quarterfinals considers runs allowed per out recorded. If the Italy-Mexico game goes nine innings and Mexico wins and scores five or more runs, the U.S. — the odds-on favorite entering the tournament — and Mexico would advance. Should Mexico win while scoring four or fewer, it would advance alongside Italy.

DeRosa said he knew that Team USA had not clinched a quarterfinal berth and was informed when he arrived at Daikin Park on Tuesday of his mistake.

«Just sitting on 'Hot Stove' at 9:45 in the morning with Matty and Harold and misspoke,» he said. «Bottom line.»

Team USA spent multiple hours in the clubhouse following its 5-3 victory against Mexico on Monday and, DeRosa said before the game against Italy, «There's some guys dragging today.»

Among Team USA resting a number of starters —