Venezuela rallies past Italy, will face U.S. for World Baseball Classic title

Venezuelan players danced in the dugout before the first pitch, then pranced past Italy and into their nation's first World Baseball Classic final.

Ronald Acuna Jr., Maikel Garcia and Luis Arraez hit run-scoring, two-out singles in a rapid seventh-inning rally that sparked a 4-2 victory Monday night in Miami and vaulted Venezuela into a title matchup against the United States.

Players celebrated in the clubhouse before quickly turning focus to the final.

"A lot of dancing," Garcia said. "We have to show the world who Venezuela is."

Before each WBC game, Venezuelan players gather around a drum in the dugout for the tambor, coastal Afro-Venezuelan music and dance. They circle and shake, chant and enchant as they prepare to take the field in their nation's yellow, red and blue.

"That's us. That's our country," manager Omar Lopez said. "That's winter ball. That's how we enjoy our baseball."

And who is tops at the tambor?

"Honestly, I think my cousin is the best dancer," Garcia said in the postgame interview room, turning to Acuna, who was seated next to him and laughed at his relative's remark.

Eduardo Rodriguez is slated to start Tuesday night against the Americans' Nolan McLean. Because both teams are 5-1, a coin toss was held earlier Monday to determine the home team, and the U.S. won.

Players avoided discussing the political turmoil between the U.S. and Venezuela.

"We're here to speak baseball," Acuna said. "Our country deserves the game tomorrow."

Venezuela overcame a 2-0, fourth-inning deficit after climbing out of a three-run hole to beat defending champion Japan in a quarterfinal. The Venezuelans reached the championship round for the first time after losing to South Korea in their only previous semifinal appearance