HOUSTON — Italy **astounded** Team USA with an 8-6 **triumph** in World Baseball Classic pool play Tuesday night, one of the biggest **shocks** in the **competition’s two-decade history** that **places the Americans at risk of failing to progress** to the knockout round. Related: Mandiant Founder’s …
A team **primarily made up** of American major leaguers with Italian **ancestry**, Italy **nonetheless entered the match** against the **formidable, well-established** U.S. team as **clear outsiders**. That **dynamic shifted during the initial innings**, with **a trio of homers** and **four and two-thirds scoreless frames** from **experienced right-armed pitcher** Michael Lorenzen **providing Italy an 8-0 advantage they never surrendered**. Related: Transatlantic Showdown: I…
While Team USA **concluded group stage with a 3-1 record**, **their destiny hinges on** the **decisive Pool B encounter** between Italy and Mexico on Wednesday night. **Should Italy, currently 3-0 in the group stage, defeat Mexico, the U.S. team will progress**. **Nevertheless, if Mexico triumphs, resulting in all three squads holding a 3-1 record, the two teams with the lowest runs allowed per out registered will move forward**.
In its games against Mexico and Italy, the Americans **conceded 11 scores and registered 54 outs**. Italy **gave up six scores and tallied 27 outs**, while Mexico **permitted five scores with 24 outs**.
Though the Americans **helped their cause by adding six runs** in the final four innings, the game **was perceived as a significant disappointment** for a **squad that viewed itself as the frontrunner for claiming the title**.
The game, with a **noticeably pro-American audience** of 38,653 at Daikin Park, **commenced favorably for the U.S. side**, with **novice** Nolan McLean **fanning the initial three Italian batters** and **recording two additional outs** in the second before Chicago White Sox catcher Kyle Teel **launched a homer** into the Crawford Boxes in left field for a **one-run lead**.
**After being hit by a pitch**, McLean **gave up a resounding homer** to White Sox prospect Sam Antonacci, **creating the U.S. team’s biggest shortfall** of the tournament. **This lead expanded two innings subsequent** when Teel **drew a walk** and Kansas City outfielder Jac Caglianone **smashed a homer** to right field to **give Italy a five-run lead**.
The 34-year-old Lorenzen, **currently playing for his seventh big-league club**, **contained a formidable American batting order** that included Bobby Witt Jr., Gunnar Henderson, Aaron Judge and Kyle Schwarber. While he **wasn’t scheduled to throw in the match** — Italy was **intending to pair him** with Aaron Nola in what it considered a **crucial showdown** against Mexico — Lorenzen **executed his pitches masterfully and blanked the U.S. batters**.
**When they finally scored their initial run** in the sixth inning on a Henderson home run, Italy had **added three additional unearned scores** and **amassed an advantage too substantial even for a vigorous U.S. rally**.
Chicago Cubs center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong **crushed a three-run homer** in the ninth inning, Boston outfielder Roman Anthony **hit a single that scored a run** in the eighth and Crow-Armstrong **hit another home run** in the ninth to **narrow the deficit**. But with Witt **standing on first after hitting a single**, Boston **pitcher from the bullpen** Greg Weissert **fanned Henderson and Judge, securing the win** for Italy.