Turner’s granny lifts U.S. into WBC semis

MIAMI — Trea Turner hit a go-ahead grand slam in the eighth inning that lifted the United States over Venezuela 9-7 Saturday night and into the World Baseball Classic semifinals.

The defending champion U.S. will face Cuba on Sunday night for a spot in the WBC final against Japan or Mexico. Cardinals righthander Adam Wainwright will start for the U.S. against Cuba.

Venezuela second baseman and Astros star Jose Altuve left the game in the fifth with a right hand injury after he was hit by a pitch from Daniel Bard. The Astros said there will be an update on his status Sunday.

Trailing 7-5, the United States loaded the bases in the eighth on a walk, single and hit by pitch against losing pitcher Jose Quijada. Silvino Bracho relieved and then Turner, the No. 9 batter in the U.S. lineup, sent his 0-2 changeup 407 feet to deep left field for the third grand slam in American WBC history.

“Individually, I think this is probably the biggest hit that I’ve had ... probably right up there with any hit I’ve ever had,” Turner said.

U.S. manager Mark DeRosa said Saturday’s win was one of the three greatest game’s he’s ever been a part of — including winning the World Series with the Giants in 2010.

“I told the guys before the game, I wanted to match their passion,” said DeRosa, who once played for the Venezuelan professional team Leones del Caracas. “I had played over there. I had been a part of that, coming out of the dugout and jumping around ... When Trea clipped that ball, honestly, I saw about 35 guys, including the coaches, kind of black out and lose their minds for a minute. So it was just an awesome moment.”

David Bednar, the fifth of seven U.S. pitchers, got the win. Ryan Pressly got three straight outs for the save.