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United States 9, Venezuela 7
Trea Turner’s grand slam gave the U. S. the most importantThe U. S. victory over Venezuela is a victory against Venezuela, staging what is expected to be a tense attack on Cuba in Miami.
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By James Wagner
MIAMI — America in trouble.
The World Baseball Classic protective champion followed Venezuela through two runs in the eighth inning of the quarterfinals Saturday night at LoanDepot Park. at stake.
Then shortstop Trea Turner, 29, stepped on the marble. With the bases loaded, Turner sent a ball into the left-field seats, stealing momentum from the game in what ended up as a 9-7 U. S. victory. Logging into the Grand Slam, Turner dropped his bat, moved his arms as he jumped out of the batter’s box and toward his teammates to scream.
“Individually, it’s probably the biggest hit I’ve ever had,” said Turner, who won the 2019 World Series with the Washington Nationals. Manager Mark DeRosa added, “This is one of the most important games I’ve ever played. “
The United States, which won the W. B. C. la the last time it played in 2017, will now face Cuba on Sunday night in a duel full of symbolism, history and emotions. The winner will face the winner of the other semifinal, between Japan and Mexico. , on Monday. The ultimate W. B. C. la will take position on Tuesday.
In a tournament that provided several exciting moments and close matches, there was also pain. While celebrating a 5-2 victory over the Dominican Republic on Wednesday, Puerto Rico moved closer and Mets star Edwin Diaz tore the patellar tendon in his right knee. surgery the next day and will probably be out for the 2023 season.
On Saturday, another major player was injured: Venezuelan guard and Houston Astros star Jose Altuve left the game in the fifth inning when American reliever Daniel Bard, whose command had been out of control, hit him with a speed of 96 miles per hour. Fastball. Altuve fell to the floor and left the game holding his right hand. The Astros said Altuve is under review.
“I’m very worried,” said Venezuelan coach Omar Lopez, who coaches the Astros. “I’m sad. I’m frustrated. “
Since the beginning of Saturday, the U. S. The U. S. Army gave the impression of being in control, temporarily taking the lead with its star-studded lineup. But Venezuela battled the attack and teams traded blows as the innings progressed, with the crowd hooked onto the court.
“You can’t do that often, especially at the beginning of the year, with that power in the stadium,” Turner said. “It’s probably the loudest game I’ve ever played. “
After the U. S. While the U. S. took a 3-0 lead early in the first set, Venezuela responded temporarily in the back when first baseman Luis Arraez hit a two-run homer. In the fifth inning, the U. S. The U. S. extended its lead to 5-2 thanks to a solo run through left fielder Kyle Tucker behind Astros teammate Luis Garcia. But Venezuela once retaliated.
USA. The U. S. undermined with Bard’s capricious command and Venezuela took a 6-5 lead at the back. While catcher Salvador Perez tied the score with a double and Ronald Acuna Jr. turned the green with a sacrifice fly, Venezuela lost Altuve. And two innings later, Arraez broke his home run to give his team a 7-5 lead, sparking a frenzy in a crowd that felt largely Venezuelan.
But all of that set the level for U. S. to be able toHe made a dramatic comeback in the eighth inning. After a moment, point guard Tim Anderson received a base on balls and pinch hitter Pete Alonso scored a single, catcher J. T. Realmuto batted through a pitch to qualify the goals of his new Philadelphia. Phillies teammate Turner batted last in this busy lineup. And when Turner saw a replacement in the middle of Silvino Bracho’s plate, he was able to save the day.
“When Trea cut that ball, honestly, I saw about 35 guys, adding coaches, fainting and losing their minds for a minute,” DeRosa said. “It was an incredible moment. “
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