HOUSTON — The game had been over for nearly 90 minutes, and virtually every one of his USA teammates had cleared the clubhouse late Friday night, and headed back to the team hotel.
Yet, one man remained, soaking in every bit of the atmosphere, wanting to savor the moment.
Logan Webb, USA’s starting pitcher who set the tone in a 15-5 victory over Brazil, wasn’t ready to let go.
“I had a blast,’’ he told USA TODAY Sports. “It was so much fun. It was (a) ton of energy in the dugout between innings. The emotions I had on the mound was so much fun.’’
Webb put on a pitching clinic in his four-inning stint, retiring 12 batters in a row, with only one ball hit out of the infield, to go along with six strikeouts.
Buy 2026 WBC tickets!
It was absolutely electric.
“It was great, except for the way it started,’’ he said, laughing.
Oh yeah, there’s that.
It was the second pitch of the game, and he tried to throw a fastball past Lucas Ramirez, the son of former All-Star outfielder Manny Ramirez.
The kid showed that he’s got the same genes, belting it 392 feet away into the right-field seats for a homer.
“I think it kind of locked me in a little bit,’’ Webb said. “You know, only playing in the playoffs once, the two games I pitched, (Dodgers All-Star) Mookie (Betts) got hits off me. I feel like both times kind of locked me in. Luckily, those two times they were singles.
“This one obviously wasn’t.’’
Webb not only immediately settled down, but dominated. He ended his outing striking out six of the last 10 batters he faced, with the last nine failing to hit the ball out of the infield.
Webb, who threw 33 of his 52 pitches for strikes, set the tone for the evening. Michael Wacha came in and struck out the side, and wound up with five strikeouts in three innings. Gabe Speier struck out two batters in the eighth inning, and Mason Miller struck out three in the ninth.
“I thought Logan took an inning to lock in,’’ USA manager Mark DeRosa said, “then he was nasty for three. He didn’t have command of his off-speed early. I give credit to Manny’s son for jumping on one, getting him involved.’’
The USA pitching staff wound up striking out 16 batters, and in direct contrast, Brazil walked a WBC record 17 batters.
It’s the first time that any team has ever scored at least 15 runs while drawing at least 15 walks while striking out 15 or more batters in a WBC game … or even an MLB game in the modern era.
“It was so much fun to play defense behind (Webb) instead of facing him,’’ said USA third baseman Alex Bregman, who walked four times and was hit by a pitch. “I mean, he really set the tone for that pitching staff. It was impressive.’’
Certainly, the USA needed that pitching dominance considering its futility in clutch situations until the late innings. The Americans were facing a team that had only one player with previous major league experience. And Brazil did everything humanly possible to get blown out with its 17 walks, two hit batters, three pitch-clock violations and a balk.
Yet, the USA was a horrific 5-for-21 with runners in scoring position, stranding 13 baserunners.
“We left a small village out there,’’ DeRosa said.
No matter, Webb took care of business, and certainly received an early infusion of confidence with Aaron Judge’s first-inning, two-run homer, calming any nerves.
“I get nervous for every game, but probably a little amped up today, for sure,’’ said Webb, who had friends and family, including his parents, in attendance at Daikin Park. “I think the first inning I was going too fast, which happens. I mean, I heard the national anthem, and I’m wearing a USA jersey, and it felt different.
“It’s hard too since there’s not a lot scouting reports and stuff beforehand on guys. So it was kind of like, ‘Hey, come in, let’s pitch to your strengths and go from there.’’’
And yes, he had no scouting reports on Ramirez, who was drafted in 2024 by the Los Angeles Angels and has never played higher than A-ball.
But while Webb never had the opportunity to face Manny Ramirez, the 12-time All-Star and nine-time Silver Slugger, he can tell his own kids one day that he faced Ramirez’s son.
Lucas Ramirez hit another homer off Speier in the game, and afterwards called it, “the best day of my life, to be honest with you.’’
“I grew up watching Manny,’’ Webb said. “His son is going to be a really good player, to be honest with you. There’s not a lot of lefties that hit homers off Speier. I don’t think anybody hits homers off him, but he has a really good swing.
“I’ve got to give my props to him. Obviously, he’s got a famous dad, so he probably learned a lot.’’
Webb’s next outing could be a pressure-cooker. He’s scheduled to pitch in the quarterfinals, which the USA should reach barring an epic collapse. If it wins the game, the USA will move on to the semifinals in Miami and a potential rematch against Japan.
“I feel like I have a gauge of what it’s going to feel like,’’ Webb said. “The next will be more amplified, obviously win-or-go-home-type game. But now I know what to expect.’’
Follow Nightengale on X: @Bnightengale
This post appeared first on USA TODAY
