US reach World Baseball Classic quarter-finals after getting needed help from Italy

  • Pasquantino lifts Italy with historic effort

  • US reach quarter-finals despite loss to Italy

  • Canada beat Cuba to win group in San Juan

Vinnie Pasquantino had the World Baseball Classic’s first three-homer game, leading Italy over Mexico 9-1 on Wednesday night to win Pool B and advance the United States to the quarter-finals as group’s second-place team.

Italy’s victory ended a day of uncertainty for the Americans, who needed help to reach the quarter-finals after losing to Italy 8-6 on Tuesday night.

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