Panama edges Italy at WBC in tight Pool A

TAICHUNG, Taiwan (AP) — Jose Ramos hit a solo homer in the first and scored on Allen Cordoba’s single in the seventh inning as Panama beat Italy 2-0 in Group A.

Italy (1-2) had runners on first and third with one out in the bottom of the ninth inning, but Nicky Lopez grounded into a game-ending double play.

Panama (2-2) pitchers held Italy to five hits and totaled six strikeouts. Harold Arauz started and pitched four innings to pick up the win.