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Samurai Japan comes up short against Venezuela in WBC quarterfinals

Ronaldo Acuna Jr. celebrates after his home run against Japan during the quarterfinal round of the World Baseball Classic in Miami on Saturday. | IMAGN

by JASON COSKREY
March 15, 2026

There were no dramatic comebacks or last-second heroics for Japan this time in Miami.

Instead, the site that was the launching pad to the World Baseball Classic title in 2023 was where it all came crashing down three years later amid a cacophony of drums and joyful Venezuelans.

Maikel Garcia hit a two-run home run in the fifth and Wilyer Abreu connected on a three-run shot in the sixth as Venezuela rallied from three-runs down against the Samurai Japan bullpen to earn an 8-5 win and a spot in the semifinals at loanDepot Park in Miami on Saturday night.