Venezuela moves on.

Team Venezuela achieved what no other team has been able to do in this Classic, and that is to beat Team Puerto Rico. Riding an undefeated streak, the Puertoricans were unable to solve the stellar pitching of Felix "King" Hernandez, and K-Rod finished the game with a four outs save to secure the win for "Los Venezolanos". A disputed home run by catcher Ramon Hernandez provided the offense in a 2-0 victory. The home run, according to the second base umpire, appeared to have struck the top of the wall, and he signaled that the ball was still in play, in which Hernandez went to third. After conferring on the field, chief Ed Rapuano's crew ducked away into a locker room where they were to have made the first instant replay review in World Baseball Classic history. But a funny thing happen. Rapuano tried to view the replay but then realized that the replay equipment was not functioning properly so the umpires huddled up old school style and reversed the call to a home run. Not that it mattered anyways as the Venezuela's bullpen was airtight the entire game. Venezuela will be making its first trip to the semifinals, having been ousted in the 2006 Classic by the Dominicans in second round play.

The other teams remaining will duke it out starting today for the final three spots in the semifinals. Korea will play Japan for the third time in this Classic and the winner will join Venezuela in the Final Four. The loser will then face Cuba in an elimination game. Puerto Rico in the meanwhile will face an U.S.A team looking to avenge an 11-1 loss to the "Boricuas" that ended after 7 innings due to the Mercy Rule. It could be the end of the line for either one of those teams tonight. Team USA has been dealing with injuries that has shortened the bench and the bullpen with Dustin Pedroia, Ryan Braun, Chipper Jones and Matt Lindstrom to miss the remainder of the Classic. Either way, they are eager to show the world that it can win this tournament and they are not letting this injuries to hinder their resolve.