That headline came later than expected, which is progress enough for a country that’s produced one major leaguer in the last half-century.

Italy lost 4-3 to Puerto Rico in Miami on Wednesday night, ending its Cinderella run in the World Baseball Championship. Dodgers infielder Nick Punto went 1 for 4 and scored Italy’s second run in a three-run fifth inning for Italy, which upset both Mexico and Canada in pool play.

Down 3-0, Puerto Rico pounced on Italy’s bullpen — just as the Dominican Republic did a night earlier — to win the game in comeback fashion.

Punto is expected back in Arizona to resume his spring training with the Dodgers. He sent the following tweet Wednesday night:

Thanks for following team #Italy it was an honor to represent the country! Now time to get back to work with my #Dodgers

— Nick Punto (@Shredderpunto) March 14, 2013