Great disappointment threatened the United States, but Trea Turner quickly turned the narrative around.
The now Philadelphia Phillies star, down 2-0 in pitch, scored a grand slam in the round of 16 that proved to be the decisive game winner that sent Team USA to the World Baseball Classic.
The United States defeated the Venezuelans 4-0, 9-7.
Team USA got off to a hot start as their first five batsmen of the ballgame each scored, and it was 3-0 to USA before they even recorded an out.
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Trea Turner No. 8 of Team USA scores a grand slam on top of the 8th inning during the 2023 World Baseball Classic quarterfinal game between Team USA and Team Venezuela at Loan Depot Park on March 18, 2023 in Miami, Florida. (Gene Wang/Getty Images)
But Venezuela came into play quickly – with the home team in the game (and although the game was played in Miami, the crowd certainly showed it was a home game for the South American country), defending champion Luis Arraez drilled a two-run homer to put it in the to make the first game a 3-2 game.
The US scored in the top spots of fourth and fifth, but Venezuela put up four runs in the bottom of fifth to take a 6-5 lead. Arraez blasted his second homer of the night in the sixth to bring his roster to two.
However, the US loaded the bases with no out, and José Quijada handed the 407-foot bomb to left field shortly after a lively celebration to get out of a jam in the previous inning.
Members of Team USA celebrate after Trea Turner #8 fell during the 2023 World Baseball Classic quarterfinal game between Team USA and Team Venezuela on Saturday, May 18, 2023. (Rob Tringali/WBCI/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
Turner lost his screaming voice as he rounded bases and was bullied by his teammates on home plate like it was a walk-off home run.
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Mike Trout recently said that the WBC was the most fun he’s played in years – he was thrilled with that attitude considering his Los Angeles Angels haven’t had a postseason since 2014.
But the shortstop – a 2019 World Series winner – displayed as much emotion as you could deliver on a baseball diamond – not bad for a “meaningless tournament.”
“It was electrifying. It was really fun. I don’t really know what I did. I feel like I blacked out,” Turner said after the game.
After the game, Turner said it was that best hit of his career.
Again, this comes from a World Series champion currently playing in “fake games.”
Trea Turner #8 of Team USA scores a grand slam in the top of the 8th inning during the 2023 World Baseball Classic quarterfinal game between Team USA and Team Venezuela at LoanDepot Park on March 18, 2023 in Miami, Florida. (Gene Wang/Getty Images)
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The USA will be back on the diamond on Sunday to face Team Cuba in the semifinals. Victory will see them face either Japan (2006 and 2009 champions) or Mexico (whom they lost in pool) for a chance to defend their 2017 title.
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