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The US
Mark DeRosa does not deliver. His team barely squeaks by the DR in the semis and then falls short v Team Venezuela, with their team of studs unable to capitalize on Bryce Harper’s dramatic, eighth inning, two-run shot that tied the game. They never really hit in this tournament, despite the laundry list of talent up and down the lineup. Aaron Judge is once agains the poster boy for failing to come up with the big hits in big spots – he was hit-less tonight with three strikeouts. For all of Team USA, heading back to Spring Training, that is one bad way to start a very long season.
But forget them – salute Venezuela, WBC champions, who knocked off Japan and the US along the way to making baseball history. They get all the plaudits and all the bragging rights in their first international baseball win since 1945 - it will never, ever be forgotten by anyone in Venezuela or any of their diaspora. Congratulations to them for this well deserved honor; they were the better team tonight, no question about it.
And that will do it for our live coverage of the WBC final. Thank you for reading, it’s always appreciated. Wherever you are, good morning, good afternoon and tonight!
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