Mexico exacts revenge; Venezuela humbles US

TORONTO – Mexico took the final second-round berth in the World Baseball Classic by avenging a humiliating loss to Australia while Venezuela claimed vengeance for another blowout by defeating the United States.

Karim Garcia went 4-for-4 with two home runs, scoring four times and driving in four more runs to power the inspired hosts’ 16-1 romp over Australia in a game halted after just six innings under a mercy blowout rule.

“It was fantastic after starting off on the wrong foot,” said Mexico manager Vinny Castilla. “I didn’t expect anything close to that. I was expecting a much closer game. But that’s what baseball is like. We really killed them.”

Three days after the Aussies had a record 22 hits in a 17-7 win over Mexico that was stopped after eight innings, Mexico joined Japan, South Korea and Cuba in a round two group that opens double-elimination play Sunday at San Diego.

“We’ve played very good baseball. We were very disappointing tonight. It wasn’t the way we wanted to finish,” Australia manager Jon Deeble said a night after his team came within four outs of upsetting Cuba before falling 5-4.

“I wouldn’t say it was a success because we didn’t get to the second round. Did we get better? Yes. Are we going to get better? Yes. We’ve still got a way to go. We took a big step forward. There’s no doubt about that.”

Venezuela downed the US Major League Baseball stars, 5-3, just three days after the North Americans trounced the South Americans, 15-6, to reach round two. Venezuela manager Luis Sojo called the victory vital to his team’s title hopes.

“Venezuela was always waiting for this win after they clobbered us. I think that was a wake-up call,” Sojo said. “We had to make a statement. It was a very important game and we did make a statement.”

US manager Davey Johnson was concerned about his players shaking off the rust after two days off following the Venezuela victory. While not thrilled to lose, he hopes the work pays off in the second round at Miami.

“I think everybody was feeling like it was a day to get some work in,” said Johnson. “It’s not a big deal win or lose. We still got to win two games in Miami. It doesn’t matter whether we’re the one seed or two seed.”   (AP)