Sports

Cano, Reyes homer to help Dominican Republic rally past Italy

MIAMI – Italy put itself on the WBC map beating Mexico and Canada in the Phoenix portion of the tournament to advance to the second round. Tuesday, the Italians nearly blew up the map.

Italy took a 4-0 lead on the heavily favored Dominican Republic but could not hold on, losing 5-4, at Marlins Park before 14,482 fans.

Ciao. One more loss in this round and Italy is done.

Mike Piazza became one proud hitting coach when Chris Colabello, who bounced around independent leagues before being signed to a minor league deal by the Twins, blasted a three-run home run in the first that put Italy on top 4-0 as Edinson Volquez gave up three straight walks to start the game. After a sacrifice fly from Alex Liddi, Colabello blasted his second home run of the tournament. At that point he was batting .500 in the WBC with six hits over 12 at bats. Colabello’s father pitched in Italy. His mom is from Italy.

The Dominican Republic cut the lead to 4-2 on solo home runs from former Mets shortstop Jose Reyes and Robinson Cano, who will have to carry the Yankees offense. Both came off Italy starter Tiago Da Silva, who lasted 5 1/3 innings.

Yankee ambidextrous farmhand Pat Venditte, throwing lefty in the tournament because he is coming off right shoulder surgery, retired pinch-hitter Miguel Tejada on a fly to right with the bases loaded in the sixth to end the inning.

But the Dominican Republic scored three times in the seventh to take the lead against the Italians bullpen. Hanley Ramirez tied it with a sacrifice fly to center and Nelson Cruz singled to right for the go-ahead run. Italy could not run down two pop flies in the inning and the Italian pitchers were not happy with the strike zone of Angel Hernandez.

There were some edgy moments in the game. In the top of the seventh, Cano was upset when Nick Punto slid hard into second base on an inning ending force as Cano hung around the bag after taking the throw. Cano stopped and stared at Punto. In the majors, runners peel off on such a play but in international play it is a different story.