Venezuela sinks USA to win Pool C

 TORONTO -- Venezuela emerged the victor in Pool C with a 5-3 win over the previously undefeated Americans on Wednesday before a crowd of 12,358 at Rogers Centre.

Two days after being handed a nine-run loss by Team USA, the Venezuelans came up with solid pitching and timely hitting in their final game before advancing to Miami this weekend for the second round of the World Baseball Classic.

With both teams already assured berths in Pool 2, the contest was decidedly low-key compared to the earlier games in Toronto. Both manager substituted liberally, apparently more concerned with getting out of town healthy than winning the top seed.

Catcher Henry Blanco put Venezuela on the board with a solo homer off former teammate Ted Lilly in the third, then doubled and scored on a Gregor Blanco triple in the fifth off Jeremy Guthrie. Marco Scutaro gave Venezuela a 4-1 lead with a two-run single in the sixth.

Venezuela starter Victor Zambrano, who was knocked around for four runs in one-plus inning of relief Sunday against Team USA, allowed just one run and three hits in 3 2/3 innings in the rematch.

Team USA left fielder Ryan Braun went 3-for-4 with an RBI double, and catcher Chris Iannetta drilled a two-run homer in the eighth, but the vaunted U.S. lineup was otherwise held in check. The Americans stranded a runner at third base in three of the first five innings.

The Americans put two runners on base in the ninth off Mets closer Francisco Rodriguez, but Derek Jeter was caught attempting to steal second base and Kevin Youkilis struck out swinging to end the game.

Venezuela will take on Pool D runner-up The Netherlands at Dolphin Stadium in Miami on Saturday at 1 p.m. ET. The Americans will face Puerto Rico, the top seed from Pool D, at 8 p.m. ET in Miami.

Ed Eagle is an editorial producer for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.