MIAMI — Team USA manager Davey Johnson was right to have reservations about playing Adam Dunn at first base.

The desperation defensive deployment backfired last 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, to conclude second-round play.

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 yesterday 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. "There are not really any good options."

Four other Americans have been sidelined by injuries since the start of round two, and there was concern in the U.S. dugout when third baseman David Wright fouled a ball off his foot in the first inning.

Wright cracked his left big toenail and hobbled through the rest of the game, in part because the only available position player on the bench was catcher Brian McCann. X-rays were negative, and Wright said he's certain he'll be able to play in the semifinals.

"We've got to stop getting hurt," Wright said with a smile, referring to the wave of injuries. "A lot of this from what I see is stuff that, if it's in the middle of the season, you can play through. But obviously the teams want to take every precautionary measure to make sure you're ready to go the first week in April."

The WBC semifinals begin Saturday, when Venezuela will play the second-seeded team from Group 1 at Dodger Stadium. The Americans play in the other semifinal Sunday.

"I can't wait," Wright said. "Making it to the final four has been our goal."

The semifinalists from Group 1 in San Diego will be South Korea and Japan, which defeated Cuba, 5-0, in last night's late game.

NATIONALS

RELIEVER BEIMEL ADDED, STARTER HILL RELEASED

The Washington Nationals added reliever Joe Beimel yesterday and released oft-injured starter Shawn Hill, who beat the team in salary arbitration.

Beimel, a left-hander who turns 32 next month, got a $2 million, one-year contract and will become the primary setup man for closer Joel Hanrahan.

"I have my eighth-inning guy," manager Manny Acta said.

Beimel was 5-1 with a 2.02 ERA in 71 appearances for the Dodgers last year, his third season with Los Angeles.

Hill receives $127,049 in termination pay rather than the $775,000 salary he was awarded on Feb. 7 following an arbitration hearing. The team had offered $500,000.

MARLINS

ALL-STAR SHORTSTOP RAMIREZ STILL HURTING

All-Star shortstop Hanley Ramirez was scratched from the Florida Marlins lineup for a second straight game because of discomfort in his right shoulder.

Ramirez hasn't played since Saturday, when he served as the designated hitter. The Marlins were hoping that he'd be ready yesterday after skipping Monday's game and the team's off day Tuesday.

Also, the Marlins are preparing to start the season without right-hander Scott Proctor, who hasn't pitched since Feb. 27 because of discomfort from scar tissue in his right elbow.