Greg Weissert Lights Up World Series for Boston Red Sox!
Team Italy advanced to the WBC semis, and it was Weissert who came in and closed the door on Puerto Rico.
Red Sox's Greg Weissert Comes Up Huge For Team Italy In WBC Quarters originally appeared on NESN . Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here . Team Italy defeated Puerto Rico 8-6 on Saturday in the World Baseball Classic quarterfinals at Daikin Park, clinching a spot in the semifinals.
The Italians built a substantial early cushion, pushing across six runs to take control and appear headed for a comfortable win. Puerto Rico refused to fold, however, and mounted a spirited comeback in the eighth inning. A two-run single from Christian Vazquez trimmed the margin to 8-6, loading the bases and putting the outcome in doubt.
Boston Red Sox right-hander Greg Weissert then took the mound in relief. He quickly extinguished the threat, securing the final two outs of the eighth frame with a dominant sequence that included blowing a fastball past Willi Castro. Weissert followed with a clean ninth, inducing Eddie Rosario to fly out to left field for the decisive final out and sealing the victory.
Greg Weissert had a tremendously gutsy five-out save to push Italy past Puerto Rico into the WBC semifinals. He has looked great in the tournament. If he emerges as a bona fide high-leverage option, joining Aroldis Chapman and Garrett Whitlock, it would be huge for the Red Sox.