LOS ANGELES -- With a one-run elimination game on the line in the ninth inning, Team USA turned to Luke Gregerson to deliver the final three outs against Japan. Gregerson did just that, retiring the side on seven pitches and securing the United States' place in its first World Baseball Classic championship game in a 2-1 victory on Tuesday.
Now, Gregerson and his teammates will play for a Classic crown. The Americans will be the road team against Puerto Rico here on Wednesday night at 9 ET on MLB Network and MLB.TV., with right-hander Marcus Stroman starting for Team USA against Puerto Rico righty Seth Lugo.
And Gregerson did so while wearing No. 18 across his jersey, a number of special significance to Gregerson and his family. The Astros reliever is competing in this tournament for more than national pride or an opportunity to take on elite talent from all over the baseball world. He's honoring his late father Duke's memory.
:: 2017 World Baseball Classic ::
"Wearing his number out there, the number he wore when his was playing softball his whole entire career, there's not a second that goes by that I don't think about that," Gregerson said.
When Gregerson was selected to join Team USA for the 2013 Classic, it was a point of immense pride for Duke, who died of brain cancer on New Year's Day -- a few weeks after Luke was invited to pitch again for Team USA in WBC '17.
"He was such an enormous baseball fan," Gregerson said, attempting to explain his father's strong connection to Team USA. "Just being able to be there for all the games, all the years, and see your son play for a national team, for Team USA, wear that across his chest with his name on the back, it's a good feeling."
Duke would surely be proud of his son's performance this spring. Gregerson has been near-perfect in the tournament, tossing four scoreless innings, with a walk being the lone blemish on his stat line. He's converted three saves -- most of any pitcher in the Classic -- and two have come in elimination games that advanced the U.S. to the semifinals and final.

"It's kind of hard to put into words," Gregerson said. "We've got such a great team here and such high-caliber players. You definitely don't want to be the one to let those guys down out there. ... I'm just happy to go out there and do my part for the team."
The World Baseball Classic concludes tonight. In the U.S., games air live exclusively in English on MLB Network and on an authenticated basis via MLBNetwork.com/watch, while ESPN Deportes and WatchESPN provide the exclusive Spanish-language coverage. MLB.TV Premium subscribers in the U.S. have access to watch every tournament game live on any of the streaming service's 400-plus supported devices. The tournament is being distributed internationally across all forms of television, internet, mobile and radio in territories excluding the U.S., Puerto Rico and Japan. Get tickets for the Championship Round at Dodger Stadium, while complete coverage -- including schedules, video, stats and gear -- is available at WorldBaseballClassic.com.