Venezuela has surged ahead in the seventh inning of the World Baseball Classic semifinals, taking a 4-2 lead over Italy following a massive two-out rally, per Jeff Passan. The dramatic comeback has shifted the momentum of the high-stakes matchup as both teams fight for a spot in the championship game.
Trailing 2-1 and facing significant pressure in the late stages of the game, the Venezuelan offense ignited a rally at LoanDepot Park. The scoring outburst was sparked by the heart of the lineup, as Ronald Acuña Jr., Maikel Garcia, and Luis Arráez all delivered clutch, two-out RBI singles to dismantle the Italian lead. The sequence of hits flipped the scoreboard and put Venezuela in the driver's seat as they look to secure their victory.
The atmosphere in Miami has reached a fever pitch, with the stadium filled with vocal Venezuelan supporters celebrating the sudden lead. Italy had managed to hold the advantage for much of the middle innings, but the three-run outburst in the seventh has completely altered the dynamics of the semifinal contest. Venezuela's pitching staff will now be tasked with protecting the two-run cushion through the final frames of the game to advance in the tournament.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
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