Turner’s winning grand slam made WBC history
The United States advanced to the semifinals of the World Baseball Classic on Saturday, beating Venezuela 9-7 with a late-game grand slam winner over shortstop Trea Turner.
According to ESPN Stats and Info, Turner is the first player in WBC history to win a grand slam in the sixth round or later.
In the top of the eighth inning, with the United States trailing 7-5, Turner came to the plate with the bases refreshed and no outs.
Down 0-2 in the count, Turner destroyed an off-speed pitch from Silvino Bracho, sending him 407 feet over the left field fence at loanDepot Park.
After the game, Turner told FOX’s Ken Rosenthal that Saturday night’s big salami was the biggest home run of his career. Rounding the bases, Turner called the moment “electric” but added he wasn’t sure what he did once he got to home plate.
“It was really fun. I don’t even really know what I did,” turner said. “I feel like I passed out. I lost my voice already, as you can see. It was a big home run.”
The United States and Venezuela faced off in a home-and-away game that saw the two teams combine for 16 runs and 23 hits.
Along with Turner’s four RBI performance, Kyle Tucker was 3 of 5 at the plate, leading by two runs, while Mookie Betts and Paul Goldschmidt each had an RBI.
Luis Arraez led the way for the Venezuelan side, going 2 of 4 with four RBIs and three runs scored.
Unfortunately, the match wasn’t all Venezuela lost on Saturday night. Second baseman Jose Altuve left the game in the fifth inning after being hit by a pitch to Daniel Bard’s right hand.
Although there have been no updates on Altuve’s injury, according to Rosenthalthe concern is that he suffered a broken thumb.
With Saturday’s win, USA secured the final berth in the WBC semi-finals. They will face Cuba on Sunday, while Mexico will face Japan in the other semi-final on Monday. Both games start at 7 p.m. EST.
The winners will battle for the WBC Championship on Tuesday at 7 p.m. EST.
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