This one was a win for the red coats.
Great Britain outfielder Trayce Thompson robbed a potential game-tying home run during their World Baseball Classic Group B pool play game against the U.S. on Saturday.
With one out in the second inning, Team USA catcher Will Smith belted a ball opposite field, but Thompson leaped and made the catch to keep the ball in the diamond.
Thompson, 34, is the brother of five-time NBA All-Star Klay Thompson, and spent this past MLB season playing for the Red Sox’s Triple-A affiliate in Worcester.
He has spent parts of seven seasons in the MLB, playing for the Dodgers, White Sox, Cubs, Padres, and Athletics.
Despite being a native of California, Thompson is eligible to play for Great Britain because his father, former NBA center Mychal Thompson, is from the Bahamas, a former British colony.
Thompson’s catch comes as Great Britain started surprisingly well start against a powerful U.S. team.
On the first pitch of Saturday’s game, Great Britain outfielder Nate Eaton blasted a solo shot off of reigning American League Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal.
Reliever Najer Victor also struck out four batters in just 1⅓ innings pitched.
Great Britain also kept Team USA scoreless through the first four innings, until Team USA third baseman Ernie Clement came home on a wild pitch in the fifth inning.
Designated hitter Kyle Schwarber then followed with a two-run blast to give the U.S. their first lead of the night.
Shortstop Gunnar Henderson then hit a two-run double to break the game open for Team USA, putting them up 5-1, and they haven’t looked back.
Great Britain is seeking its first win in the WBC this year. They lost 8-2 to Mexico in their first pool play game on Friday.
Perhaps the feature player of Great Britain’s roster is Yankees infielder Jazz Chisholm Jr., who joined them for this year’s tournament after originally playing for them at 18 years old back in the 2016 WBC qualifiers.
