Home runs are greeted with a celebratory shot of espresso and the donning of an Armani jacket.
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Wilyer Abreu and Maikel Garcia smashed home runs as Venezuela dethroned defending champion Japan 8-5 on Saturday to reach a World Baseball Classic semi-final against undefeated Italy.
The United States struggled to another major sporting victory over border rival Canada on Friday to reach the World Baseball Classic semi-finals, where the Americans will face the unbeaten Dominican Republic.
Unbeaten Italy advanced to the World Baseball Classic quarter-finals by routing Mexico 9-1 on Wednesday, allowing the fancied collection of United States stars into the last eight as well.
Italy pulled off a stunning 8-6 upset over the United States in the World Baseball Classic on Tuesday, leaving the star-studded hosts facing possible elimination from the tournament.
Already qualified Japan were made to sweat by the Czech Republic's part-time team of teachers and firefighters before the defending World Baseball Classic champions ended pool play with a 9-0 win on Tuesday.
Aaron Judge and Roman Anthony drove in home runs while pitcher Paul Skenes delivered a gem as the United States punched their ticket to the quarter-finals of the World Baseball Classic on Monday with a 5-3 victory over Mexico in Houston.
South Korea squeezed into the World Baseball Classic quarter-finals by the finest of margins after a nerve-jangling 7-2 win over Australia on Monday to finish as Pool C runners-up.
Japan survived a scare to beat Australia 4-3 at the World Baseball Classic on Sunday as the defending champions booked their place in the quarter-finals as Pool C winners.
A Kyle Schwarber homer and a five-run fifth inning helped the United States overpower Great Britain 9-1 in the World Baseball Classic on Saturday, but not before an early British lead tested American nerves.
