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World Baseball Classic recap: Cuba advances, Italy gets a surprise walk-off win

mike oz

A busy day in the World Baseball Classic ended with a thrilling walk-off win in Mexico, Cuba sealing a spot in the second round and the powerful Dominican Republic team dominating as expected. Here is The Stew’s recap of all the day’s action, plus a look ahead at what’s coming Friday:

Italy 10, Mexico 9
So much for Mexico’s bullpen being a strength. Italy scored the most exciting victory of the day with a 10-9 walk-off win over Mexico that included a five-run bottom of the ninth. It’s a surprise for the Italy team, which doesn’t have as much MLB-level talent as Mexico. Toronto Blue Jays closer Roberto Osuna started the ninth, looking to lock down the first game of Pool D play in Jalisco, Mexico.

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Osuna immediately gave up three consecutive doubles. After a walk, an error and a single, Italy’s John Andreoli came up with the bases loaded and his team down a run. Andreoli singled past a drawn-in infield, bringing home two and securing the win. This has to sting extra for Mexico, since Italy beat them in the 2013 WBC, also with a ninth-inning comeback. Pool D includes Venezuela and Puerto Rico, two very talented teams. Both Mexico and Italy figured to be longshots to advance, so Mexico’s chances took a serious dive with this loss.

Cuba celebrates after advancing to the second round of the WBC. (AP)
Cuba celebrates after advancing to the second round of the WBC. (AP)

Cuba 4, Australia 3
Cuba joined Japan in advancing out of Pool B. That was decided with a 4-3 win in Tokyo over the Australian team, which put up a fight in its hopes of earning a surprise berth out of pool play. But those hopes were extinguished with one swing of the bat from Cuba’s Alfredo Despaigne, whose fifth-inning grand slam proved to be all the offense Cuba would need. Cuba finished pool play at 2-1, its only loss coming against Japan.

Dominican Republic 9, Canada 2
Here’s a shocker: The Dominican Republic team can hit the ball really well. The defending champs — whose lineup includes Manny Machado, Adrian Beltre, Jose Bautista, Robinson Cano and Nelson Cruz, among others — jumped all over Canada in the first game of Pool C in Miami. Canada, honestly, fared better than expected. Ryan Dempster, who hadn’t pitched since 2013, was the starter for Team Canada, so facing an All-Star lineup was no small task.

The Dominican Republic got homers from Jose Bautista (a three-run bomb) and Welington Castillo, plus three-hit games from Bautista and Jose Reyes. Next up for the Dominicans is a must-see matchup with Team USA on Saturday at 6:30 p.m. ET. Before then, be sure to read Jeff Passan’s column on the dangerous Dominican lineup.

MUST-SEE PLAY
Here’s that Italy walk-off win:

WHAT’S NEXT
• China vs. Japan (5 a.m. ET Friday) — This one is a formality and could get ugly. Japan hasn’t lost yet and China hasn’t scored a run. The only thing China’s playing for is a win, which would qualify it for the next WBC.

• Colombia vs. Team USA (6 p.m. ET Friday) — Team USA makes its WBC debut and it has to face one of the best pitchers in the tournament — Colombia’s Jose Quintana, who you also know from being the Chicago White Sox’s best starter.

• Venezuela vs. Puerto Rico (9 p.m. ET Friday) — This is the premiere matchup of Pool D, as they’re the favorites to advance. This, however, is the first game for both teams. Venezuela features Miguel Cabrera, Jose Altuve, Carlos Gonzalez and Victor Martinez. Felix Hernandez is their Game 1 starter. The Puerto Rican team, meanwhile, features Carlos Correa, Francisco Lindor, Javy Baez and Carlos Beltran. Mets pitcher Seth Lugo is starting for Puerto Rico.

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Mike Oz is the editor of Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at mikeozstew@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!