MIKE PIAZZA: Well, first off, I really want to congratulate my team. The guys played extremely hard, together. They had some frustrations.
Obviously a few situations we could
have picked up an incident run or two but we didn't. And we gave Cuba some hope
there, any time they made great defensive play, it changed the momentum of the
game, and I'm a big believer in momentum.
As far as Matt Harvey, I felt the way
he pitched out of the jam, very effectively, was a positive way to end. I think
he didn't ask to come out of the game. He still wanted to go back out there. I
think he could have thrown another ten pitches or so. But we decided to just go
with the order; a few little hiccups, Ben came in, that was a really hard-hit
ball that turned into a triple.
So we made a few mistakes but we were
fortunate enough that we battled on the mound and the guys just really did a
great job. Valente, obviously with that great piece of hitting didn't try to
kill the ball. Just hit the ball up the middle.
As far as the fans, we knew the
energy, what it's going to be like here and we know what it's going to be like
tomorrow. So we just have to block that out and play our game.
I was really impressed with our team.
We did not get discouraged. We just kept battling and we really -- it was a big
win. It's a big win. It's a big win for our federation and obviously we qualify
for the next Classic; that's nothing we're really worried about now, but it is
important.
Is this one of the
more special moments you've experienced playing in baseball?
MATT HARVEY: I would definitely say so. I mean, it's -- for all of us to get invited and to play in such a special tournament and for our family members and for our country that runs through our blood, it's extremely special.
. You know, I know my grandfather is
part of the reason I'm able to be here, and you know, he's getting older, and I
know he was up this morning to watch it and it's just special to be able to
play for him. I think that goes for all of us. We are playing for our families.
We are playing for our country. That runs in our blood and we are just super
excited to be here.
Let's
talk about the fratello, the brotherhood that's going on behind the scenes. Can
you compare it with anything else you've experienced?
No, this is a big stage - says NICKY LOPEZ - A lot of different people from around the world are tuning in. A lot of countries are playing, and just to be able to play for Team Italy, being an Italian American, kind of like Harv said, my mom is 100 percent Italian and I know the Lopez last name might not show it but just to be able to carry it through and play for them is something very, very special.
But behind the scenes, you know, our team is close. We are hungry individuals who want to make a name for ourselves but in the same breath we are playing for each other, and you could see that tonight. We are top-stepping it, pushing for one another. I know it was a dogfight but to be able to push through at the end was something special and I'm proud of each and every one of us.
Taichung post-game press conference
