Americans rip Venezuela to reach WBC 2nd round

TORONTO: Kevin Youkilis blasted a home run and Chris Iannetta hit a three-run double in an eight-run rally Sunday to lead the United States past Venezuela 15-6 and into round two of the World Baseball Classic.

The Americans booked a place in the second-round group that begins Saturday in Miami, blasting 16 hits off seven largely ineffective Venezuelan pitchers, including homers from Youkilis, Adam Dunn and Ryan Braun.

"All throughout the lineup we gave ourselves the chance to have big innings," US slugger Mark DeRosa said. "This was one of the nights where guys capitalized. It's one of those things that turned into 15 runs."