The excitement surrounding the final moments of the World Baseball Classic semifinal between the United States and the Dominican Republic was palpable, but Juan Soto was particularly frustrated. When Gerardo Perdomo delivered a pitch that was clearly below the strike zone, it inadvertently secured a 2-1 victory for Team USA. Soto voiced his strong opinion to reporters afterwards, expressing his belief about the top team in baseball.
“We’ve proven to the world who is the best team in baseball,” the Mets player stated, leaving little doubt about his stance.
Interestingly, Soto had already faced a similar situation earlier in the game when he was called out on a slider that was also deemed below the strike zone. This moment occurred during the eighth inning and could have changed the course of the game for the Dominican Republic, which was in the midst of a potential rally. The pitch in question was expected to have a significant impact, given the situation.
For Perdomo, the stakes were even higher. He aimed for a crucial 3-2 pitch that, had it been deemed a strike, could have resulted in two outs with runners on first and third base. Statcast indicated that the ball was about 2.5 inches below the strike zone.
As the game concluded, America celebrated, with Mason Miller securing the win and eliciting a collective sigh of relief from the crowd.
“I knew for sure it was a ball,” Perdomo remarked, reflecting on the missed pitch.
On a different note, Dominican Republic GM Nelson Cruz took an insightful perspective on the game’s ending. “That’s part of the game,” he said, noting that losing by mere inches was frustrating. He mentioned the upcoming implementation of the automatic ball strike system (ABS) in a few years, showing hope for future changes.
The absence of the ABS system during this game left many feeling disappointed about the outcome. This technology has already been tested in the minor leagues and is slated to be introduced into MLB in the current season.
Pete Crow Armstrong, the center fielder for Team USA, shared his thoughts post-game, noting he could clearly see the ball was low from a distance. “He didn’t seem quite right,” he said. “But honestly, I’m glad we didn’t have ABS. It’s nice to see the human element in play.”
Looking ahead, Team USA will have rookie pitcher Nolan McLean from the Mets take the mound for their upcoming game against the winner of the matchup between Venezuela and Italy on Tuesday night.
