Mexico Wins But Run-Rule Favors Venezuela In World Baseball Classic

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Mexico beat Venezuela 11-9 Sunday night in Pool D of the World Baseball Classic, but thanks to an arcane runs-allowed rule, Venezuela is the team that will play on.

Mexico, Venezuela and Italy all finished 1-2 in Group D, but Venezuela will face Italy on Monday at 9 p.m. ET at Estadio de Beisbol Charros de Jalisco to determine who moves on to Round Two along with Group D winner Puerto Rico.

The tiebreaker was determined by a formula of the two teams with the fewest runs allowed per defensive inning during the tournament. Venezuela had 1.11 runs allowed per defensive inning and Italy had 1.05 runs allowed. Mexico had 1.12 runs allowed, sending the home team, well, home.

As for the game itself—which had intrigue but not nearly as much as the postgame—Esteban Quiroz and Brandon Laird each hit three-run homers for Mexico, while Chris Roberson drove in two runs as the host team finally got a win.

Luis Mendoza gave up three hits and two runs in four innings for the win, while losing pitcher Yusmeiro Petit giving up five runs in two innings.