Italy’s remarkable 2026 World Baseball Classic run is over after losing to Venezuela in the semifinals.

Italy reached its first World Baseball Classic semifinal, and the team’s espresso-and-wine celebrations have gained some level of attention in a soccer-obsessed nation.

J.

Manager Mark DeRosa says his premature comment about the United States having already punched its ticket to the World Baseball Classic quarterfinals before facing Italy was just an “overly confident statement” and reiterated Thursday he knew nothing was guaranteed at that point.

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

Shohei Ohtani threw the fastest pitch of his career at 101.7 mph and worked two efficient innings in his third mound start for the Los Angeles Dodgers, allowing one hit and one walk against the Kansas City Royals.

Kris Bubic’s no-hit bid for the Kansas City Royals ended with an official scoring change.

The Royals are looking forward to next season with a pronounced sense of optimism after going from a 106-loss trainwreck last year to the AL Division Series this year.

The Kansas City Royals endured two seven-game losing streaks in the final month of the season.

The Kansas City Royals have completed one of the most remarkable turnarounds in major league history, clinching an American League wild card despite a 3-0 loss to the Atlanta Braves.

Royals catcher Salvador Perez spent part of his day off playing an impromptu game of Wiffle ball with a bunch of kids in Kansas City, Kansas.

San Diego Padres pitcher Michael Wacha took a no-hitter into the eighth inning before Michael Massey of the Kansas City Royals lined a leadoff single.

Brady Singer pitched out of a bases-loaded, nobody out jam in the third and finished with six strong innings to lead the Kansas City Royals to a 9-0 victory over the Boston Red Sox.

Minnesota rookie Joe Ryan and reliever Jovani Moran combined to pitch no-hit ball until Bobby Witt Jr. doubled with one out in the ninth inning as the Twins beat the Kansas City Royals 6-3.

Brady Singer pitched six dominant innings and the Kansas City Royals ended the Dodgers’ 12-game winning streak by blanking Los Angeles 4-0.

Tony Gonsolin took a no-hit try into the seventh inning and the Los Angeles Dodgers won their 11th straight game, beating the Kansas City Royals 8-3.

Vinnie Pasquantino hit his first major league home run and Hunter Dozier followed with a drive into the bullpen, leading Brad Keller and the Kansas City Royals over the Detroit Tigers 3-1.