Team USA has advanced to the championship game of the 2023 World Baseball Classic after a dominant win over Cuba in the semifinals. The Americans scored at least one run in each of the first six innings, finishing the game with 14 runs and 14 hits. Cedric Mullins put an exclamation point on the victory with a solo home run in the ninth inning. Team USA will now face the winner of the Mexico vs. Japan semifinal matchup for the chance to defend their WBC title and claim back-to-back championships. The championship game will take place on Tuesday. Trea Turner continued his hot streak, hitting a no-doubter to left field for his second home run in as many games. Paul Goldschmidt also had a big night, hitting a two-run homer in the first inning and driving in four runs in total. Adam Wainwright overcame a shaky start to limit Cuba to just one run, retiring the next three batters after allowing three straight infield singles.
Team USA Dominates Cuba, Advances to World Baseball Classic Championship Game
Team USA is once again heading to the World Baseball Classic title game after a dominant win over Cuba in the semifinals. The Americans scored at least one run in the first six innings of the game, ultimately winning 14-2.
Despite a shaky start, with limited arms available in the bullpen, Team USA overcame an early 1-0 deficit, thanks to a two-run homer by Paul Goldschmidt in the bottom of the first inning. In the second inning, Trea Turner crushed a no-doubter to left field for a 3-1 lead, continuing his hot streak after hitting a game-winning grand slam against Venezuela in the quarterfinals.
Team USA continued to build on their lead throughout the game, with RBI singles from Pete Alonso and sacrifice fly from Tim Anderson in the third inning, followed by a two-run inning in the fourth courtesy of Goldschmidt and Nolan Arenado. After a single run from Cuba in the fifth, Goldschmidt delivered again with a two-RBI single in the bottom of the inning.
The Americans put the game out of reach in the sixth inning, scoring four runs, highlighted by Turner’s second homer of the night, a three-run shot to left-center.
The win sets up a championship game matchup against the winner of the Mexico vs. Japan semifinal, which will take place on Monday. Team USA’s only loss in the tournament came at the hands of Mexico, while Japan remains the only unbeaten team left.
The championship game will take place on Tuesday, with Team USA looking to defend their WBC title and claim back-to-back championships.
Cedric Mullins Hits Solo Home Run as Team USA Wins Big
In the ninth inning of Team USA’s dominant win over Cuba in the World Baseball Classic semifinals, Cedric Mullins hit a solo home run to right-center for the Americans’ fourth homer and 14th hit of the game.
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