San Francisco Giants: Crawford, Melancon, Posey help USA to WBC Championship Game

The San Francisco Giants have one of the biggest imprints on Team USA, out of any ball club in the big leagues. They’ll try and lead team USA to a championship tomorrow.

The San Francisco Giants have played an integral role in Team USA’s success through the WBC. All three Giants on the roster made and appearance tonight. While Mark Melancon’s didn’t go as planned, Buster Posey and Brandon Crawford were fantastic.

Team USA took on Japan in the semifinal game of the 2017 World Baseball Classic. In what was clearly a pitchers duel, Tanner Roark got them off to a fantastic start. Team USA took the lead on an Andrew McCutchen single in then top of the third. Coming home to score was Christian Yelich, who scored from second base. He got there after the Japan second-baseman botched a deep ground-ball.

While Japan equalized the score in the sixth, Team USA came right back. Brandon Crawford smoked a single to left, and advanced to third on Ian Kinsler’s double. Adam Jones’ broken bat ground-out to third brought home Crawford, but only thanks to the third baseman’s bobble of the ball. If he caught it clean, Crawford may have been out at the plate.

After that, USA had a couple nervy moments. However, Luke Gregerson came in and slammed the door shut with a quick bottom of the ninth. Team USA defeated Japan 2-1, advancing to the World Baseball Classic Championship game for the first time in their history.

They will play Puerto Rico tomorrow. The game takes place at Dodger stadium, and first pitch is scheduled for 7pm pacific.

Next: 5 Guys in San Jose You Must Watch

Earlier in the WBC, USA lost to Puerto Rico in an exhilarating, 6-5 game. The matchup should feature a whole lot of emotion, and firepower. Both teams are stacked with guys who have made big names in the MLB. Puerto Rico can hit, pitch, and play incredible defense. One extremely familiar face for Giants fans is Angel Pagan. Be sure to tune in as Team USA tries to win their first WBC Championship!