On Sunday, Team USA moved to within one win of claiming the ultimate prize in the World Baseball Classic.
Their 14-2 win over Cuba propelled them to the finals, where they’ll await either Japan or Mexico.
Adam Wainwright set the tone for Team USA, working around trouble in the first inning and delivering another four-inning, one-run outing.
The St. Louis Cardinals legend earned his second win of the Classic and put Team USA on the cusp of a repeat.
After the game, Wainwright got a chance to catch up with Harold Reynolds and Greg Amsinger of MLB Network, where he discussed his performance and the support he received from his teammates.
"He hit that ball out and said 'We got you.' That's a great feeling as a pitcher. The whole team rallied behind me."@UncleCharlie50 spoke about his @Cardinals teammate Paul Goldschmidt's big plays and @USABaseball's win.#MLBTonight | @WBCBaseball | #WorldBaseballClassic pic.twitter.com/BEHVFO1dwZ
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) March 20, 2023
Wainwright first talked about Paul Goldschmidt‘s first-inning home run.
After the two-time World Series champion had escaped a bases-loaded, nobody out jam with just one run allowed, the reigning MVP hit a two-run shot to put Team USA in the lead.
Wainwright said that when Goldschmidt returned to the dugout, the slugger looked at him and said “We got you.”
And sure enough, they had has back all night.
Wainwright says he enjoys the opportunity to pitch for a team that has such a stacked lineup.
The veteran right-hander may not have escaped the jam if not for pitching coach Andy Pettitte‘s pep talk.
Wainwright said Pettitte’s words got him back on track after three infield singles and a walk.
He also praised Pettitte for his elite pitching resume.
The 41-year-old also enjoyed a slight uptick in velocity, topping out at 89 MPH.
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