In Classic matchup, it’s Fletcher who wins battle

They each knew there was an opportunity Team Italy and Team Japan would play one another within the quarterfinals of the event, and it’s precisely what occurred on Thursday. Fletcher bought the higher hand on his teammate by going 1-for-2 with a single to proper discipline in opposition to Ohtani, however Ohtani bought the final chortle by throwing 4 2/3 sturdy innings to assist Japan advance with a 9-3 win in entrance of a frenzied crowd on the Tokyo Dome.

“It was fun facing him,” Fletcher mentioned. “He was definitely competing out there and giving us everything he had. He was really into it. Getting to be on the other side of him was definitely something I looked forward to. It was pretty surreal getting to play in the Tokyo Dome and getting to face him. The fans were all awesome and into the game. It was exciting.”

Fletcher, who was eligible to take part as a result of his mom was born in Italy, returned to the Angels’ clubhouse on Sunday and was again within the lineup on Monday in opposition to the Reds, beginning at shortstop. Fletcher, who went 4-for-20 with a double in 5 video games, mentioned he totally expects to be prepared for the beginning of the season and can see motion at second and brief main as much as Opening Day on March 30 at Oakland.

Fletcher mentioned the expertise was additional particular as a result of he had the prospect to play along with his brother, Dominic, who began in proper discipline, and since he had the prospect to face Ohtani.

Fletcher and Ohtani are notably shut as teammates and took an image on the sector after Thursday’s recreation, a pic that included the mustache Fletcher grew for the event solely to shave off upon his return to Arizona. He additionally added he didn’t say something to Ohtani after the sport about his hit in opposition to him, however he plans to carry it over him all season.

“I had a blast,” Fletcher mentioned. “It was cool going to different countries and playing different countries in front of those crowds. It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

Rengifo and Quijada each performed in opposition to Team USA on Saturday. Rengifo changed Jose Altuve when the Astros star broke his thumb after being hit by a pitch, and Quijada recorded an enormous strikeout of Kyle Tucker to finish the seventh however struggled the subsequent inning. Quijada celebrated wildly after his strikeout of Tucker and referred to as it a optimistic expertise regardless of the loss to Team USA.

“It was just a grand experience that I’m always gonna remember and the emotions that went into my first time playing in the WBC,” Quijada mentioned by way of an interpreter. “I’m just never gonna forget about it.”

Rengifo additionally loved his time however performed in additional of a restricted position for Team Venezuela, a development that nervous the Angels. He performed in simply three video games, going 1-for-6. He was again within the lineup at second base on Monday, and supervisor Phil Nevin mentioned Rengifo will get loads of at-bats main as much as Opening Day, together with seeing time within the outfield this weekend.

“It was incredible,” Rengifo mentioned. “It was loud. I just tried to enjoy every day. I was very proud for all Venezuelan people and my country, too.”

Weiss, who had a 2.70 ERA with 5 strikeouts in 3 1/3 innings with Team Israel, pitched in reduction with the Angels on Sunday, throwing a scoreless inning. Israel didn’t advance out of Pool D play in Miami, nevertheless it did robotically qualify for the subsequent Classic with a fourth-place end in its pool. Weiss, who’s competing for the ultimate spot within the bullpen however is extra prone to open the yr at Triple-A Salt Lake, referred to as it a memorable time.

“It was packed with fans rooting against us — which makes it fun,” Weiss mentioned. “They were very Latin-heavy crowds. But it was really cool. My parents were there. The fans were just really into it and respectful and it made it fun.”