The 2023 World Baseball Classic (WBC) US team defeated Cuba to advance to the finals. The 2017 WBC champion, the United States, has only one game left to challenge for a second consecutive victory.
The United States won 14-2 in the match against Cuba in the 2023 WBC semifinals held at Londipo Park in Miami, USA on the 20th (Korean time). USA advanced to the final following the previous tournament, turning on the green light for a second straight victory. The U.S. will compete with the winner of the Japan-Mexico match for the title. Cuba tried to advance to the finals for the first time in 17 years since the 2006 WBC, but was unable to achieve it due to the power of the United States.
The U.S. scored 14 hits, including 4 home runs, in the game and bombed the Cuban line. Cuba collapsed by giving 14 points to the home run offensive of the United States. Unlike the narrowly come-from-behind victory in the match against Venezuela in the quarterfinals, the U.S. secured control of the match by beating the Cuban pitching staff from the beginning of the match.
The U.S. fielded Adam Wainwright (St. Louis Cardinals) as a starting pitcher, and Cuba started Roenis Elias (Chicago Cubs). In the beginning of the first inning, Wainwright gave up three consecutive infield hits and a push walk to Cuba’s lineup. Cuba had a chance to score without the bases loaded, but the follow-up hitter withdrew with an infield flyout and ground ball, and could not add points.
The United States, which escaped from the crisis of massive runs, succeeded in turning around right away at the end of the first inning. Mookie Betts (LA Dodgers), who played as the lead batter, created a chance to score from second base safely with a double that landed to the left of the left fielder against Cuban starter Elias. Third batter Paul Goldenschmidt (St. Louis Cardinals) turned the game around with a huge two-run homer that went over the left wall.
In the second and third innings,카지노 Trey Turner (Philadelphia Phillies) and Pete Alonso (New York Mets) hit a one-run homer and one RBI, widening the gap with Cuba. The U.S. dominated Cuba 9-2 until the fifth inning.
The match between the U.S. and Cuba was virtually decided by Turner’s 3-run home run in the 6th inning. Turner sealed the victory with a 3-run home run over the left fence in a situation with 1 out, 1st and 2nd base against Cuba. After hitting a dramatic come-from-behind home run in the 8th inning in the quarterfinal match against Venezuela, Turner made a big success by adding two home runs in the quarterfinal match against Cuba. Turner hit 4 home runs in this tournament and climbed to the top of the home run rankings.
Golden Schmidt, who served as first baseman and third hitter on the day, went 2 hits in 5 at-bats, 1 walk, and 4 RBIs, including a home run.
As the U.S. advances to the final, it will play the final at 8:00 a.m. on the 22nd with the winner of the match between Japan and Mexico, which will be held at 8:00 a.m. on the 21st (Korean time).
On the other hand, the match was stopped for a while as spectators entered the ground twice.