National team baseball manager Hirokazu Ibata has said he will step down following Japan’s loss to Venezuela 8-5 in the quarterfinals of the World Baseball Classic.

Venezuela beat Shohei Ohtani and defending champion Japan 8-5 in the World Baseball Classic on Saturday night to advance to the semifinals against unbeaten Italy.

Japan manager Hirokazu Ibata makes an unexpected announcement hours after loss to Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic.

MIAMI (AP) — Wilyer Abreu hit a go-ahead, three-run homer after Maikel Garcia sparked the comeback with a two-run shot, and Venezuela beat Shohei Ohtani and defending champion Japan 8-5 in the World Baseball Classic on Saturday night to advance to the semifinals.

Venezuela defeated Japan, which was the reigning champion in the WBC in the quarterfinals. Italy has won all five games at this tournament and knocked off Puerto Rico to reach the

Chicago Cubs OF Seiya Suzuki left Japan’s World Baseball Classic quarterfinal against Venezuela on Saturday after suffering an apparent knee injury while he was caught stealing.

Venezuela manager Omar Lopez had a huge declaration about his team following their win against Japan in the WBC.

The offense bailed out starting pitcher Ranger Suarez, who allowed all five of Japan's runs over 2.2 innings, including a solo homer to modern baseball icon Shohei Ohtani in the bottom of the first. Now, Venezuela will face Team Italy in Monday's semifinal.