HOUSTON \u2014 Italy broke open a scoreless game with eight runs across the sixth, seventh, and eighth innings, riding a 3\u2011for\u20113, two\u2011homer performance from Dante Nori<\/a><\/strong> to an 8\u20130 win over Brazil Saturday afternoon at Daikin Park. The first half of the afternoon belonged to the pitchers, with neither lineup finding a way to break through. But once Italy cracked the Brazilian relief corps in the sixth, the tone of the game changed completely. From that point on, Italy dictated the pace and steadily pulled away.<\/p>\n For five innings, the game moved quickly, with both teams trading defensive plays and efficient pitching. Italy finally broke through in the sixth with two runs, then seized full control with a four\u2011run seventh. Two more in the eighth completed the surge, giving Italy its first shutout of the tournament. They have a 1\u20130 record heading into Sunday\u2019s matchup with Great Britain.<\/p>\n Italy\u2019s pitching staff controlled the entire game. Starter Sam Aldegheri<\/a><\/strong> \u2014 the first Italian-born player to ever appear in a major league game \u2014 worked through early traffic but kept Brazil off the board. Alek Jacob<\/a><\/strong> earned the win with two scoreless frames in relief, and the relief unit handled the final innings, only allowing a runner past second base once. Italy finished with 15 strikeouts and three walks.<\/p>\n The momentum shifted sharply once Brazil opened the bullpen gate. Two runs in the sixth broke the stalemate, and the lineup followed with a four\u2011run seventh built on disciplined at\u2011bats, well\u2011placed contact, and steady pressure. Italy added two more in the eighth to stretch the lead to 8\u20130, turning a tight game into a decisive win.<\/p>\n For five innings, Italy had no answers for Brazilian starter Enzo Sawayama<\/a><\/strong>, who worked ahead in counts and mixed speeds effectively. Italy managed only two hits and a walk off him and didn\u2019t put multiple runners on base until the sixth, after he had left. His outing kept Brazil in the game through the first five and a half innings.<\/p>\n Sawayama delivered four scoreless innings, working out of traffic in the second and fourth innings. His command and tempo kept Italy\u2019s lineup off balance. It generated a lot of weak contact and gave Brazil a chance to strike first.<\/p>\n Brazil\u2019s defense stood out early. The outfield recorded two assists \u2014 one at home plate to end the second inning, and another at third base in the fourth. Both came from right fielder Lucas Ramirez<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n Brazil managed only four hits and only advanced a runner past second base once. Even when they put the ball in play with authority, Italy\u2019s defense had an answer. Without sustained pressure, Brazil had no margin for error once Italy began scoring in consecutive innings.<\/p>\n The sixth inning marked the turning point. A leadoff walk and back\u2011to\u2011back singles opened the door, and Italy capitalized with two runs. The seventh proved even more difficult, as four more crossed the plate against multiple relievers. By the time Italy added two in the eighth, the game was out of reach.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen I heard the anthem, I felt like I was home. It gave me energy. Made me feel like I was playing for something bigger.\u201d \u2014 Italy left\u2011handed starting pitcher Sam Aldegheri upon hearing Italy\u2019s national anthem \u201cIl Canto degli Italiani\u201d<\/em> before the game<\/em><\/p>\n Alek Jacob earned the win for Italy, with Hector Villarroel<\/a><\/strong> taking the loss for Brazil. Both were in relief. There was no save.<\/p>\n Both Italy and Brazil play again Sunday. Italy faces Great Britain in the early game; Brazil faces Mexico in the late one. First pitch for the early game will be at noon Central, and first pitch for the late game will be at 7 pm Central.<\/p>\nItaly \u2013 Brazil Game Summary<\/h3>\n
What Went Right for Italy<\/h3>\n
Strong Pitching<\/h4>\n
Strong Hitting Off Brazilian Relievers<\/h4>\n
What Went Wrong for Italy<\/h3>\n
Couldn\u2019t Solve Brazilian Starter<\/h4>\n
What Went Right for Brazil<\/h3>\n
Starting Pitching<\/h4>\n
Defense<\/h4>\n
What Went Wrong for Brazil<\/h3>\n
Lack of Offensive Production<\/h4>\n
Relievers Ran into Trouble<\/h4>\n
Quotes<\/h3>\n
Quick Hits<\/h3>\n
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Looking Ahead<\/h3>\n
Main Photo:<\/h4>\n