Luke Gregerson may not have the title of the closer of the Houston Astros. But Gregerson was the man called upon when Team USA needed a save on Saturday night against the high-powered Dominican Republic lineup.
It was a clean one-two-three inning for the Astros reliever. Gregerson retired former teammate Jonathan Villar on a grounder to first base. He got Jose Reyes to line out sharply to centerfield and ended the game with a groundout from Manny Machado.
Gregerson picked up his second save of the 2017 World Baseball Classic. He has appeared in three games, allowing no hits, walking one, and striking out two.
With the Win, Team United States will head to the semifinals with the Netherlands, Puerto Rico, Japan. The United States will face teammate Nori Aoki and Japan in a single elimination format.
The Netherlands and Puerto Rico will play on Monday in Los Angeles, with the U.S.-Japan game being played on Tuesday.