Venezuela rallies past Italy to make first WBC final vs. USA - ESPN

MIAMI — Ronald Acuña Jr. scampered to first base, beat the throw from the shortstop, and didn't stop running.

The superstar right fielder high-stepped his way another 90 feet down the right-field line, screaming for the second leg of his sprint while the thousands of Venezuelans around him joined in his outburst Monday night. His Venezuela teammates spilled out of the dugout, banging imaginary tamboras in celebration of his score-tying infield single.

Venezuela fans, who had filled LoanDepot Park hoping to watch their national team reach the World Baseball Classic final for the first time, boomed to an ear-piercing level.

Team Venezuela, behind its electric leadoff hitter, had finally broken through to draw even with Team Italy in the seventh inning of this WBC semifinal — and it wasn't done. Maikel Garcia followed with a go-ahead RBI single and Luis Arraez added another one for insurance, doubling Venezuela's lead with a fourth straight two-out hit en route to a 4-2 win.

Days after qualifying for the Olympics for the first time, Venezuela, a proud baseball nation that has exported some of the world's best talents, will play for its first WBC championship against Team USA on Tuesday.

Tension had been building for the Venezuelans over the first 6⅔ innings. Team Italy, as it did all tournament during its surprising run to the country's first semifinal, jumped out in front thanks to Keider Montero's sudden control struggles in the second inning. The right-hander yielded a one-out single to Zach Dezenzo before issuing three straight walks. The third, to J.J. D'Orazio with the bases loaded, pushed home the game's first run. Moments later, Dante Nori's fielder's choice groundout made it 2-0 and ended Montero's night after 33