MIAMI, March 19 (UPI) -- Henry Blanco delivered one of three RBI doubles in a six-run second Wednesday, igniting Venezuela to a 10-6 WBC win over the United States.
Both Venezuela and the Americans had already clinched semifinal spots in the World Baseball Classic. Wednesday's game merely determined part of the pairings for the semifinals, which will be played Saturday and Sunday in Los Angeles.
Jose Lopez and Miguel Cabrera also produced run-scoring doubles in Venezuela's big inning, which created a 6-1 lead. Four of the runs were unearned, courtesy of an Adam Dunn error.
After the United States closed within 7-6 in the sixth, Max Ramirez gave Venezuela some breathing room with a three-run homer in the bottom half of the inning.
Venezuela will play in the first semifinal game Saturday. The Americans will play Sunday. Puerto Rico and either Japan or Cuba will also be a part of the semifinals.