MIAMI — Team USA manager Davey Johnson was right to have reservations about playing Adam Dunn at first base.
The desperation defensive deployment backfired Wednesday night in the World Baseball Classic when Dunn made a wild throw that led to four unearned runs, and Venezuela won Group 2 by beating the Americans 10-6.
Both teams had already qualified for the semifinals this weekend in Los Angeles. Injury-plagued Team USA is expected to make several roster moves before then.
First baseman and cleanup hitter Kevin Youkilis was ruled out for the rest of the tournament earlier in the day because of mild ankle and foot injuries. The only first baseman on the list of potential roster replacements — Derrek Lee of the Chicago Cubs — has been hampered by a sore thigh.
“We really don’t have a first baseman to go to, and that creates a problem,” Johnson said.
The WBC semifinals begin Saturday, when Venezuela faces the second-seeded team from Group 1 at Dodger Stadium. The Americans play in the other semifinal Sunday.
