Turner's grand slam lifts US over Venezuela, into WBC semifinals
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. St. Louis Cardinals right-hander Adam Wainwright will start for the U.S. against Cuba.
Venezuela second baseman and Houston Astros star Jose Altuve left 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 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.
Golf
SCHENK'S LATE BIRDIE GIVES HIM LEAD OVER SPIETH, FLEETWOOD >>
Adam Schenk hit his approach to the 18th hole to 5 feet and made the birdie putt for a 1-under 70, giving him a one-shot lead over Jordan Spieth and Tommy Fleetwood at the
Valspar Championship as he goes after his first victory on the PGA Tour.
Schenk was at 8-under 205 and will play in the final group with Spieth, whose game appears to be rounding into form with the Masters on the horizon.
Tennis
MEDVEDEV INTO FINAL
>> Daniil Medvedev defeated Frances Tiafoe 7-5, 7-6 (4) for his 19th consecutive match victory of the year and a berth in the BNP Paribas Open final.
Medvedev will play for the title Sunday against the winner of the other semifinal
between top-seeded Carlos Alcaraz or No. 11 seed Jannik Sinner.
U.S. OPEN HOPEFUL TO HAVE DJOKOVIC >> After Novak Djokovic withdrew from tournaments in Florida and California because he still can't travel to the United States as a foreign citizen who is not vaccinated against COVID-19, a U.S. Tennis Association spokesman said the group is “very hopeful” the topranked player will be allowed into the country for the U.S. Open in August.
Motor sports
PEREZ ON POLE >> Sergio
Perez stepped up for Red Bull to ensure the team started from the pole at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix after a mechanical issue sidelined two-time defending world champion Max Verstappen.
Verstappen was fastest in all three practice sessions at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit but his qualifying effort was cut short when he radioed “I have a problem. Engine, engine problem,” during the second session. The Dutchman drove to the pits, where a driveshaft issue was discovered, and Verstappen's qualifying effort was over.