A night after dramatically defeating Team Venezuela in the quarterfinal game, Team USA slugged their way past Cuba in their semifinal match up. The final score ended up being 14-2 in which Team USA scored in every inning except for one (seventh inning). They now will get a chance to defend their crown in the championship game on Tuesday night.
Team USA slugs their way to the 2023 World Baseball Classic championship game.
The game started off a bit rocky as Adam Wainwright, Team USA’s starting pitcher, allowed the first three Cubans to reach base safely despite a ball not being hit out of the infield. Wainwright then walked the fourth batter of the game to make it 1-0 Cuba. Thankfully, he got a force out at home, infield fly, and a ground out to shortstop to escape the inning.
After the first inning, it was all Team USA. The third at-bat for USA was a two run long ball from Paul Goldschmit. He would go onto have two hits, four RBI, and a walk in this game.
GOLDY GOES YARD 💪
Team USA takes the lead!!
📺: WBC on FS1 pic.twitter.com/1zUA3hHkZC
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) March 19, 2023
In the second inning, last night’s hero Trea Turner came up with another big home run. A solo shot put USA up 3-1. Turner would then go on to hit a three run home run in the sixth inning. Both Goldschmit and Turner finished the game with four RBI.
ANOTHER NO-DOUBTER FROM TREA TURNER 🇺🇸🇺🇸
📺: WBC on FS1 pic.twitter.com/XeIJouieJr
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) March 19, 2023
TREA TURNER CANNOT BE STOPPED 🔥🇺🇸
📺: WBC on FS1 pic.twitter.com/7RwnIEADon
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) March 20, 2023
On the mound, St. Louis Cardinals pitchers Adam Wainwright and Miles Mikolas each covered four innings. Aaron Loup pitched a single inning. After having to utilize six relievers a night before, Team USA’s bullpen is now sitting in a very good spot entering the championship game.
The 2023 World Baseball Classic championship game will be on Tuesday night. Team USA will play the winner of Mexico and Japan. That game will be played on Monday night.
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