Hurting Venezuela Wins Second Straight Seeding Game Over Hurting USA

With both teams shielding regulars with injuries, Team Venezuela jumped out to a huge lead early and held on for a 10-6 victory over the United States in the semifinal seeding game.

Team USA started Orioles pitcher Jeremy Guthrie, who hadn't pitched a live game in a week. It showed as he was lit up in the second inning for six runs, coming on three doubles, three singles and an error. Henry Blanco had a two-run double and That erased an early 1-0 lead for the United States.

Team USA tacked on two runs in the third and fourth innings, but left five men on base in those innings. Venezuela added a run in the bottom of the fourth on an RBI single by Miguel Cabrera.

Mark DeRosa had a two-run shot in the fifth and David Wright an RBI groundout in the sixth to close the gap to 7-6. Rangers prospect Max Ramirez restored the cushion with a two-out, three-run home run off of LaTroy Hawkins and both teams pitching made the score hold up.

The winner of tonight's Japan-South Korea game plays the United Sates in the semifinals while the loser plays Venezuela.

W - Armando Galarraga (1-0)
L - Jeremy Guthrie (0-1)
HR - USA - Mark DeRosa (1)
VEN - Max Ramirez (1)