Miles Mikolas speaks of Team USA's emotions during heart-stopping end to WBC final: "Even down to the last pitch, I thought we might pull it out"

Team USA's pitcher Miles Mikolas talked about the emotions flowing in the dugout during the final of the World Baseball Classic (WBC). The final was a closely contested affair between USA and Team Japan, with the latter winning the game by a 3-2 margin at the LoanDepot Park in Miami.

Both teams brought their best defensive strategies to make it a tight affair. Most of the scoring was done on the back of four solo home runs as only 14 hits were recorded, nine for Team Japan and five for Team USA.

Japan led 3-1 in the eighth innings before Kyle Schwarber homered to make it a one-run game. The showdown ninth inning saw Shohei Ohtani come on as a reliever against Jeff McNeil, Mookie Betts, and his Angels teammate, Mike Trout. After walking McNeil and getting Betts and McNeil on a double play, Shohei Ohtani struck out Mike Trout in probably one of the greatest at-bat in the history of baseball.

Miles Mikolas, watching the action unfold from the dugout, spoke about the emotional state of the team during the final inning. He said that they were hopeful of pulling a comeback even while facing a great in Ohtani.

He said:

"It was a whirlwind of emotions. I thought went McNeil walked, first guy in, I thought we were gonna get off, I thought we had him. Soon as a guy walks, you start to think maybe he is a little wild, maybe he is overthrowing. Then he comes right back and gets them out on a double play."

Mikolas added (on MLB network radio):

"Then he has that incredible at-bat with Trout. If you could script down a game or a tournament to end in one at-bat, like one matchup that everyone wants to see, it was incredible. Even down to the last pitch, I thought we might pull it out and get them but baseball is tough sometimes." Mikolas said on the MLB Network Radio

Miles Mikolas performed well in the semifinal of the WBC

Miles Mikolas put on a good showing in the first semifinal against Team Cuba at LoanDepot Park in Miami as he closed out the game with his team winning 14-2. Miles Mikolas played his part as a relief pitcher to brilliance with just six hits in four innings. He will return to play with the St. Louis Cardinals for the 2023 regular season that is due to start in less than 10 days time.