U.S. Dunn in by Lousy Defense

Error leads to 4 unearned runs in a 10-6 loss

Newly minted Nationals first baseman Adam Dunn made a wild throw that led to four unearned runs as Venezuela beat the Americans to top Group 2 in their final group game.

Max Ramirez had a three-run homer for Venezuela, which finished with 15 hits.

Venezuela will play the second-seeded team from Group 1 on Saturday at Dodger Stadium, and the Americans will play in the other semifinal Sunday.

The United States qualified for the semifinals for the first time by scoring three runs in the ninth inning Tuesday night to beat Puerto Rico 6-5. The Americans failed to come up with much of an encore, falling behind when Venezuela scored six runs in the second inning with the help of Dunn's error.

Cabrera finished with three hits and two RBIs. Three pitchers shut out the Americans after they cut the margin to 7-6 in the sixth inning.

"This team is doing a lot of small things to win games," Venezuela manager Luis Sojo said. "There is a different star every single day."

Rain delayed the start for more than an hour and fell during much of the game.

The conditions did little to quiet the crowd of 16,575, with Venezuela fans again chanting, pounding drums and booing Magglio Ordonez. Many Venezuelans dislike their left fielder because he supports the country's president, Hugo Chavez.

Ordonez turned the jeers to cheers when he singled during the second-inning rally. He finished 1-for-4, hiking his average in the tournament to .167 (4-for-24).

Guthrie lasted only 1 2-3 innings and gave up seven hits, including three doubles. He left trailing 6-1, but only two of the runs were earned.

Venezuela starter Armando Galarraga (1-0) allowed eight hits and three runs, two earned, in 3 1-3 innings.
 

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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