Down 2-1 to Italy with 2 outs in the top of the 7th inning, CF Jackson Chourio started a string of 4 consecutive singles to propel Venezuela to a 4-2 advantage which held up for a WBC semifinal victory.
Ronald Acuna legged out an infield single to tie the game, before Maikel Garcia drove home Chourio for the lead.
A half inning earlier, LHP Angel Zerpa had entered for Venezuela with 1-on, 1-out, promptly striking out 3B Andrew Fischer (1-for-3, walk), then navigating an intentional walk and weak infield single to get a strikeout looking and escape the bases loaded jam.
Benefitting from 3 consecutive walks, Italy struck first with 2 runs in the second inning, chasing Venezuelan starter Keider Montero after just 1.1 IP, with Ricardo Sanchez (1.2 IP, 0 R) righting the ship by stranding 1 of 3 inherited runners.
For Italy, Austin Nola delivered an effective start (4 IP, 1 R), but the bullpen was unable to hold it.
Chourio went 1-for-3 with a run scored, while teammate C William Contreras was 0-for-2 with 2 walks.