MLB
March 18, 2023 | 11:19 p.m
MIAMI – Trea Turner hit a grand slam in the eighth inning that lifted the United States over Venezuela 9-7 on Saturday night and into the semifinals of the World Baseball Classic.
The United States, the defending champions, will face Cuba on Sunday night for a place in the WBC final against either Japan or Mexico. St. Louis Cardinals right-hander Adam Wainwright will start for the United States against Cuba.
Venezuela’s second baseman and Houston Astros star Jose Altuve left fifth with a right hand injury after being hit by a pitch from Daniel Bard. The Astros said there will be an update on his condition on Sunday.
Trailing 7-5, the USA loaded the bases in the eighth on a single and hit a pitch off losing pitcher Jose Quijada. Silvino Bracho was relieved and Turner, the ninth-ranked in the USA lineup, sent his 0-2 change-up 407 feet deep into left field for the third grand slam in US WBC history.
“Individually, I think that’s probably the biggest hit I’ve ever had… probably right up there with any hit I’ve ever had,” Turner said.
American coach Mark DeRosa said Saturday’s win was one of the three greatest games he’s ever been involved in — including winning a World Series with the San Francisco Giants in 2010.
“I told the players before the game, I want to make their passion match theirs,” said DeRosa, who once played for Venezuelan professional team Leones del Caracas. “I played there. I was part of it, I came out of the dugout and I jumped around… When Trea clipped that ball, honestly, I saw about 35 players, including the coaches, just blacking out and losing their minds for a minute. So it was just a moment.” amazing “.
David Bednar, the fifth of seven American pitchers, earned the win and Ryan Pressley finished with three straight saves.
Playing in the stadium that would soon be called home with the Miami Marlins, Luis Arais pitched the first polyhedral game of his professional career and drove in four runs for Venezuela.
The American team boasts a roster of big names that many have chosen to repeat as WBC champions.
All nine U.S. hitters are All-Stars, including Los Angeles Dodgers right fielder Mookie Bates, Los Angeles Angels center fielder Mike Trott, and Cardinals first baseman Paul Goldschmidt and third baseman Nolan Arenado.
The United States is among the top six in the tournament in batting average (. 296), RBIs (34) and hits (48), and every American player had a hit against Venezuela, which was leading 4-0 in conference play.
“Unfortunately, this is baseball,” said Venezuela coach Omar Lopez. “We have to accept this and as men we have to keep our heads up. It’s not easy, especially when they’re back in the game.”
Venezuela took a 6-5 lead in four fifth rounds after Ronald Acuña Jr.’s sacrifice bunt flew deep into center.
Salvador Pérez led in the tying run with a double drive offside line inside the left field foul line.
Ariez hit a double run to right field on Lance Lane’s first home run, his first home run at his new home park, and added another high groundout from right field in the seventh against Bednar to give Venezuela a two-run lead. . Arraez, the AL batting champion, was traded to WBC host Miami Marlins this offseason after four seasons in Minnesota.
Bard replaced Lane with a 5-2 lead in the fifth inning and loaded the bases with two walks, a groundout and a pitch that hit Altuve.
Bard was pulled after Jiliber Torres scored on a wild pitch to make it 5-3 and Aries hit a penalty kick against Jason Adam.
The USA hit five consecutive singles to start the game. Bates pulled off first on a single, then the rusher raced first through third on Trout’s single to first, scoring when Acuña forced an error on a layup.
Kyle Tucker came up for the USA in game five for fellow Astros Luis Garcia.
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