Watch: Miggy, Odor start 9th-inning rally to save Venezuela
#WBC #ScoreAlert #Venezuela🇻🇪(3) vs #Italia🇮🇹(2) en la 9na entrada (Solo HR d Cabrera, RBI hit d Odor casi HR) #WBC2017 #MeGustanLosDeportes pic.twitter.com/SE4T1c73yP
— MeGustanLosDeportes (@GustanDeportes) March 14, 2017
A surprise inclusion in Venezuela's lineup over All-Star Jose Altuve, Rougned Odor intended to make the most of his manager's trust in him.
He may never sit for another game again.
Though he missed a two-run blast by mere inches, the Texas Rangers second baseman extended his country's ninth-inning comeback against Italy in Monday's tiebreaker game when his long fly ball scored pinch-runner Yangervis Solarte, giving Venezuela a 3-2 lead over the Italians.
Venezuela would then execute a rare suicide squeeze to extend the lead to 4-2, giving them a much-needed insurance run. Italy's John Andreoli opened the bottom of the frame with a solo home run to bring the Italians to within one, but that would be as close as they would come.
On to San Diego!
— WBC Baseball (@WBCBaseball) March 14, 2017
Team Venezuela storms back with 3 in the 9th and holds on to defeat Italy, 4-3. #WBC2017 pic.twitter.com/5R0CiyQkkz
Odor's long RBI single would have been for naught, however, if it weren't for Miguel Cabrera. The Detroit Tigers slugger had given Venezuela's bats new life when he went yard earlier in the inning - with no review needed - sending a solo home run to right field off Italy reliever Mike DeMark to tie it 2-2.
Venezuela, who just over 24 hours ago believed they had been knocked out of the tournament, will now join Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, and the United States in Pool F in the second round.