USA avoids disastrous first inning in semifinal game, a breakdown

Mar 20, 2023 271.7K views 4:47

What Happened

In the semifinal game of the World Baseball Classic, Team USA takes the mound with pitcher Nate Wainwright (Nate Wainwright) facing off against Cuba. The game starts with Wainwright struggling in the first inning, as he issues a soft hit to Tim Anderson (Tim Anderson), the Team USA second baseman, who is unable to make the play. This puts a runner on first base for Cuba. Wainwright continues to battle, throwing a mix of fastballs and curveballs, but Cuba manages to load the bases with a few more soft hits. With the bases loaded, Wainwright faces a critical situation, and Team USA manager Mike DeRosa (Mike DeRosa) looks concerned, knowing his pitching staff is limited for this game. Wainwright battles back, throwing a quality curveball that the Cuban hitter fouls off. On a 3-2 count, Wainwright walks in a run, giving Cuba the lead. DeRosa approaches the mound, and pitching coach Andy Pettitte (Andy Pettitte) advises Wainwright to rely more on his sharp curveball, one of the best in the game. Wainwright takes the advice, and with a mix of well-placed curveballs and fastballs, he is able to escape the inning without further damage, getting a key strikeout and inducing a ground ball double play to limit Cuba to just one run. Wainwright and the Team USA defense come together to avoid a disastrous start, preserving their chances in this crucial semifinal matchup. The importance of this moment cannot be overstated, as the World Baseball Classic rules limit the availability of relief pitchers, putting added pressure on the starters to go deep into the game. Wainwright's ability to navigate the first-inning jam and keep Team USA in the game sets the stage for their eventual 14-run outburst, securing their spot in the championship game.

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wayno taking the mound for Team USA in

the semi-final game against Cuba today's

breakdown is sponsored by manscape

Sprints out there grabs the ball DeRose

is like all right he's ready to go but