The 2023 World Baseball Classic continues on Sunday with the first semifinal game of the tournament, a must-see matchup between Team USA and Cuba in Miami, exclusively on FS1 and streaming on the FOX Sports App.
Cuba secured their place in the semis after a 4-3 win over Australia on Wednesday, while the USA progressed after a stunning 9-7 win over Venezuela on Saturday that became an instant classic.
The WBC began March 7 and will conclude with the championship game Tuesday (7 p.m. ET, FS1) in Florida.
Matches are broadcast on FOX, FS1, FS2 and can be streamed via the FOX Sports App. The full schedule can be found here.
These are the top games!
USA vs Cuba
Cuba takes an early lead
Cuba loaded bases in the top of the first inning thanks to three defensive errors by Team USA.
Tim Anderson was unable to throw a groundball into the hole on the right side of the infield, whereupon Adam Wainwright was strapped to a groundball near the first baseline, and then Wainwright ran a soft groundball under his glove.
Alfredo Despaigne pulled a walk from a full count and put Cuba on the board. However, Wainwright dodged further damage and prompted three infield outs to escape the inning.
The US reacts
Mookie Betts doubled up to lead the bottom of the first. Two batters later, Paul Goldschmidt put Team USA ahead by flipping a pitch from Roenis Elias for a two-run home run.
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Paul Goldschmidt’s double homer gave Team USA a 2-1 lead over Cuba.
Later!
Saturday’s hero for Team USA Trea Turner struck again at the end of the second, destroying a solo home run into left field to put them 3-1 ahead.
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Trea Turner hit a home run to left field and gave Team USA a 3-1 lead over Cuba at the 2023 World Baseball Classic.
tensioning the line
With bases loaded and one on the bottom of the third rope, Pete Alonso rappeled an RBI single to the left.
The next hitter, Anderson, hit a sacrificial fly down the middle. Team USA led 5-1.
further extend the lead
With two outs late in the fourth, Nolan Arenado hit a base into right field deep enough for Goldschmidt to score from first base and Arenado to hit a triple.
Next hitter, Kyle Schwarber, drew a walk, with Ball getting four off the plate and Arenado scoring from third. Team USA took a 7-1 lead.
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Team USA scored two runs behind an RBI triple by Nolan Arenado in the fourth inning, who would later score on a wild pitch.
Cuba gets one back
Andy Ibanez potted a ground ball between Anderson and Turner in the top of the fifth, driving in Cuba’s second heat.
padding of the leash
With two outs and the bases loaded at the end of the fifth, Goldschmidt hit a 2-RBI single to the right and gave Team USA a seven-run lead.
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Paul Goldschmidt hit a two-run single that extended Team USA’s lead over Cuba to 9-2.
Nolan Arenado injured
Arenado was hit in his right hand and knocked out in the bottom third of the fifth. Bobby Witt Jr. took Arenado’s place at third base.
FOX Sports MLB insider Ken Rosenthal reported that X-rays on Arenado’s right hand were negative.
Just walk him already
It was the 24 Hours of Trea. The Team USA shortstop started his second homer of the game in the bottom of the sixth. This was a 3-run ball that gave the USA a 12-2 lead.
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Trea Turner hit another home run and gave Team USA a 12-2 lead over Cuba.
ONE MORE run
With a runner up, Trout hit an RBI double to the right, giving Team USA an 11-run lead.
Stay tuned for updates!
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