Team USA and Team Venezuela played a contest worthy of a World Series Game 7 Saturday night, with Team USA rallying for a 9-7 win at Miami’s LoanDepot Park.
With the win, Team USA advanced to the WBC semifinals and will face Cuba on Sunday. Team Venezuela is finished despite an impressive 4-0 run through tough Pool D.
Team USA took an early lead in the elimination game, only to watch as Venezuela rallied for four runs in the fifth to take a 6-5 lead. Miami Marlins star Luis Arráez’s second home run of the game gave Venezuela a 7-5 lead in the seventh.
Then came arguably the most dramatic moment in Team USA’s WBC history, as shortstop Trea Turner (Philadelphia Phillies) crushed a grand slam in the top of the eighth to put Team USA up 9-7.
TREA TURNER GRAND SLAM FOR THE USA LEAD! #WorldBaseballClassic pic.twitter.com/w5RZKNpHjK
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) March 19, 2023
“It was electric. I didn’t even know what I did, I felt like I blacked out,” Turner told Fox Sports’ Ken Rosenthal afterward.
Houston Astros closer Ryan Pressly came in for the bottom of the ninth and retired the side in order to preserve the win.
Team USA advances to the WBC semifinal to face Cuba! #WorldBaseballClassic ⚾️🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/FIZgIrCVUP
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) March 19, 2023
Baseball fans filled Twitter with reactions to the classic game.
TREA TURNER YOU ARE THE NEXT PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES pic.twitter.com/y7sCQhbUM3
— Jared Carrabis (@Jared_Carrabis) March 19, 2023
Trea Turner with a grand slam to put the United States up 9-7 in the top of the 8th inning. Team USA is going wild. What an incredible back-and-forth game.
— James Wagner (@ByJamesWagner) March 19, 2023
Trea Turner’s grand slam is the third in Team USA history. Joining David Wright in 2013 and Jason Varitek in 2006. Stat of course dug up by the great @SlangsOnSports
— Aram Leighton (@AramLeighton8) March 19, 2023
AMERICAN HERO TREA TURNER
— Baseball Quotes (@BaseballQuotes1) March 19, 2023
When Trea Turner is batting 9th, your team’s in trouble. #USA
— Dan Moscaritolo (@DanMoscaritolo) March 19, 2023
Trea Turner with a grand slam to put the United States up 9-7 in the top of the 8th inning. Team USA is going wild. What an incredible back-and-forth game.
— James Wagner (@ByJamesWagner) March 19, 2023
[Photo Credit: Fox Sports]
