Defending champions Japan claimed the last remaining World Baseball Classic semi-final spot with a 5-0 win over Cuba, while Venezuela finished top of their second-round group with a 10-6 win over the US on Wednesday.
Japan scored two unearned runs with two outs in the fourth inning on a foggy night at Petco Park when Cuba’s center fielder Yoennis Cespedes committed a two-base error on Michihiro Ogasawara’s high fly-ball.
Even though it was hit into heavy fog and Cespedes had a long run, he seemed to see the ball and had it in his glove before it popped out, glanced off his cap and rolled to the wall.
PHOTO: AP
Japan join Venezuela, South Korea and the US in the semi-finals. Japan will play South Korea at Petco Park to determine the seedings from Group 1.
The loser will play Venezuela tomorrow, while the winner will play the US on Sunday.
Wednesday’s loss was the first time since 1951 that the Cubans have failed to reach the finals of a major international competition.
They had made the finals 40 straight times in the IBAF World Cup, the Intercontinental Cup, the Olympics and the Classic.
“It meant a lot,” Japanese manager Tatsunori Hara said. “It was a big deal for us. It will be left in history. I have great respect for Cuba.”
Norichika Aoki went four-for-five with two RBIs and one run scored.
Ichiro Suzuki went two-for-five to raise his Classic average to .214. He tripled in the ninth and scored on Aoki’s single.
Hisashi Iwakuma and Toshiya Sugiuchi combined to five-hit the Cubans.
Three years ago at Petco Park, Japan beat Cuba 10-6 to win the inaugural Classic.
Earlier, US first baseman Adam Dunn made a wild throw that led to four unearned runs as Venezuela beat the Americans to top Group 2 in their final group game.
Max Ramirez had a three-run homer for Venezuela, who finished with 15 hits.
The US qualified for the semi-finals for the first time by scoring three runs in the ninth inning on Tuesday night to beat Puerto Rico 6-5. The Americans failed to come up with much of an encore, falling behind when Venezuela scored six runs in the second inning with the help of the first baseman’s error.
Cabrera finished with three hits and two RBIs. Three pitchers shut out the Americans after they cut the margin to 7-6 in the sixth inning.
“This team is doing a lot of small things to win games,” Venezuela manager Luis Sojo said. “There is a different star every single day.”
Rain delayed the start for more than an hour and fell during much of the game.
The conditions did little to quiet the crowd, with Venezuela fans again chanting, pounding drums and booing Magglio Ordonez. Many Venezuelans dislike their left fielder because he supports Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez.
Guthrie lasted only one-and-two-third innings and gave up seven hits, including three doubles. He left trailing 6-1. Venezuela starter Armando Galarraga (1-0) allowed eight hits and three runs, two earned, in three-and-a-third innings.
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