Drew Smyly led a strong effort from the pitching staff, and Adam Jones and Eric Hosmer hit eighth-inning home runs to lead Team USA to a 4-2 win over Venezuela in each team’s first game in Pool F play.
Trailing 2-1 through seven, Jones led off the eighth with a home run to left-center field off Hector Rondon to tie the game. Christian Yelich followed with a single, and Hosmer’s two-run blast to right gave the Americans its first lead, one it would not relinquish.
The US starting staff has not allowed an earned run all tournament, and Smyly continued that dominance against a tough Venezuelan lineup.