Venezuela's offense explodes, fueled by clutch hits, to stun defending champions Japan and secure a long-awaited WBC semifinal berth.

MIAMI (AP) — Wilyer Abreu hit a go-ahead, three-run homer after Maikel Garcia sparked the comeback with a two-run shot, and Venezuela beat Shohei Ohtani and defending champion Japan 8-5 in the World Baseball Classic on Saturday night to advance to the semifinals.

In a tournament that has had no shortage of dynamic moments, jaw-dropping home runs and epic comebacks, Saturday’s quarterfinal between Venezuela and Japan might have topped it all. Venezuela upset Japan 8-5, knocking out the defending champions to advance to the World Baseball Classic semifinals for the first time since 2009.

In a WBC littered with big home runs from Red Sox players, Wilyer Abreu now owns the most dramatic moment of the entire tournament. After falling behind Team Japan 5-2 in the third inning and nearly burying themselves even further in the fourth,

MIAMI (AP) — Wilyer Abreu watched the ball leave the park and tossed his bat high in the air. His Venezuela teammates streamed out of the dugout in celebration. The comeback was on, and the win over the reigning World Baseball Classic champion Japan was within reach.