HOUSTON (AP) — A day later than expected, the United States has punched its ticket to the quarterfinals of the World Baseball Classic. The Americans got the help they needed from Italy, which beat Mexico 9-1 on Wednesday night. Italy beat the U.S. 8-6 a night earlier, turning the Americans into spectators as they hoped to avoid elimination. The Italians won Group B with a 4-0 record. The U.S. was runner-up in the group at 3-1. Mexico was eliminated, having also lost to the U.S. The Americans will stay in Houston to meet Canada on Friday night. Italy will play Puerto Rico in the other quarterfinal at Daikin Park on Saturday.
US gets the help it needs from Italy and advances to the World Baseball Classic quarterfinals
