Mexico led Italy 9-5 heading into the ninth inning, only to watch Italy rally for five in the final frame to notch a 10-9 win in the first game in Group-D play in the World Baseball Classic last night.
Francisco Cervelli kicked it all off with a leadoff double against Mexico’s Roberto Osuna. Then Chris Colabello followed with a double. Alex Liddi then hit a two-run double to make it 9-7. Drew Butera reached on an error and Drew Maggi walked to load the bases. In came reliever Oliver Perez, only to allow an RBI single to Brandon Nimmo to make it 9-8. Then John Andreoli capped the rally with a two-run single.
The the other two teams in Group D, Venezuela and Puerto Rico, will play tonight, after which Mexico will play Puerto Rico on Saturday while Italy faces off against Venezuela.
