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Venezuela sinks USA to win Pool C
As winner of first round, country will face Netherlands on Saturday
By David Singh / Special to MLB.com
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Though both teams were assured a spot in Miami's second round of the 2009 World Baseball Classic before the Pool C finale even began, Venezuela said its 5-3 victory over the U.S. on Wednesday was needed. This was especially so, given the fact that it was a chance to avenge its ugly nine-run loss at the hands of the very same American squad last Sunday.
"We had to make a statement," said Venezuelan manager Luis Sojo. "I think Venezuela was always waiting for this win after they clobbered us."
With the victory, Venezuela (3-1) was declared the winner of Pool C, and it will now take on The Netherlands in the Round 2 opener on Saturday at 1 p.m. ET. The U.S., meanwhile, will take on the Pool D-winning Puerto Ricans on Saturday at 8 p.m. ET.
Team Venezuela's potent offense proved its strength yet again on Wednesday, notching 12 hits against the U.S. Venezuela is now batting a combined .347 (50-for-144) in its four Classic games.
"I'm really happy, because the guys really are focused," said Sojo. "They came with an objective. Everyone is really committed. There's a lot of chemistry within the team, and I think everyone's bringing forward their own contribution.
"The great teams win because of that."
In the third inning on Wednesday, catcher Henry Blanco launched an 0-1 pitch from USA starter Ted Lilly into the left-field stands for a solo home run that put Venezuela on the board.
Blanco again factored into the scoring in the fifth, when he reached base on a double off U.S. reliever Jeremy Guthrie, and then came around to score on Gregor Blanco's RBI triple to deep center field, allowing the Venezuelans to take a 2-1 lead.
Then, in the sixth inning, second baseman -- and hometown Blue Jay -- Marco Scutaro had the Venezuelan fans in attendance roaring with his two-run single that increased the score to 4-1.
"This win was very important," said Scutaro. "Because it gave us the confidence, you know, to get to Miami and know that we can compete against the USA or any other team."
Venezuelan right-hander Victor Zambrano was the starter for Wednesday's game, despite allowing four runs to the U.S. in just one-plus inning during Sunday's loss. The Venezuelan hurler erased most of those memories with his stellar mound performance on Wednesday.
Zambrano stifled the American hitters over his 3 2/3 innings, allowing three hits and just one run. Throwing 56 pitches, he walked two and struck out one.
Zambrano, who was much more efficient in the strike zone, said that he was able to put Sunday's outing at the back of his mind.
"What I tried to concentrate on the most was all the positives that have happened in my career in the past," Zambrano said. "Those are the things, when you put them to good use, especially mentally, it can work very well."
Zambrano's success also set the tone for the Venezuelan bullpen, which was equally as stingy in relief. Four Venezuelan relievers -- Jan Granado, Ivan Blanco, Carlos Vasquez and Orber Moreno -- combined to allow just two runs in their 4 1/3 innings, successfully bridging the gap to Mets closer Francisco Rodriguez, who nailed down the save in the ninth inning.
"Our bullpen was the question mark throughout the whole tournament, and they came through today," said Sojo. "And I think that's very important."
In the '06 Classic, Team Venezuela could not advance past the second round. As the group now prepares to head off for Round 2 at Dolphin Stadium in Miami, Sojo made sure to reiterate his squad's intentions.
"All of Venezuela knows that all of those that are here to represent the country, are here with one objective, which is to win," Sojo said.
"And we have the team, we have the spirit, the mind. And if God wills and things go well, we'll be able to maybe party at the end."
David Singh is a contributor to MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
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