Trailing 3-1, the team from the Caribbean scored 3 in the bottom of the eigth and now will face the loser between Team USA and the Dominican Republic

Miami/Tokyo. While the second round of the 2013 World Baseball Classic in Tokyo, Japan ended with a victory of Team Samurai in the seeding game over the Netherlands, the second round in Miami, Florida got underway on Tuesday. The results don’t show any surprises. The Dominican Republic came back from a four-run deficit to down a strong Italian team. Team USA out-pitched and out-hit Puerto Rico en route to a win.

Miami. Team USA may have been a disappointment early in the tournament, but Joe Torre’s side keeps improving and looks now like a very likely contender in the final round of the World Baseball Classic. In front of a 32,872 fan crowd the USA beat (7-1) a solid Puerto Rico and will now rest one day, before playing against the Dominican Republic for a spot in the semi final. Puerto Rico will play on Wednesday (7 pm US Eastern Time) against Italy an elimination game.

Miami. According to manager Marco Mazzieri, Team Italy couldn’t have done more on Tuesday: “The boys played very well and they left everything on the field. That’s what I requested”.

San Juan. Venezuela defeated Spain 11-6 on Sunday afternoon at Hiram Birthorn Stadium in San Juan, Puerto Rico to close out first-round play in Pool C. Both teams will miss the second round, Venezuela in third place, Spain in fourth.

Phoenix. Team USA came from behind to score 7 runs in the last 2 at bats and won (9-4) the match with Canada, thus qualifying as the number 1 seed in the poule D of the 2013 World Baseball Classic.

Tokyo/Phoenix/San Juan. Two-time World Baseball Classic winner Japan continues its success story also at the third edition in 2013. Team Samurai crushed 2011 IBAF Baseball World Cup winner Netherlands on Sunday to reach the semifinals as the first team. Cuba will face the Dutch team on Monday to determine the second semifinalist.

San Juan. The Dominican Republic closed out first-round play at Pool C at the 2013 World Baseball Classic with a 4-2 victory over Puerto Rico. The Dominicans had to erase a 1-2 deficit with single runs in the fifth, sixth and seventh to earn the win and first place in the group. Both teams advance to the second round, which commences on Tuesday at Marlins Park in Miami.

Tokyo. The Netherlands are joining Japan as the second team to qualify for the semifinals at the 2013 World Baseball Classic. Once again the Dutch team was able to beat Cuba. This time a sac fly by Kalian Sams decided the outcome in the bottom of the ninth inning of a 7-6 victory on Monday evening at the Tokyo Dome in Tokyo, Japan.

Tokyo/Miami. The 2013 World Baseball Classic is entering its decisive phase. Two semifinalists are already known with Japan and the Netherlands. After two-time WBC winner Team Samurai reached the final round in San Francisco on Sunday, the Dutch team – the reigning IBAF Baseball World Champion – followed one day later with an incredible win over Cuba.