Cubs reliever Daniel Palencia is on top of the World

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – Daniel Palencia’s Cubs teammates watched intensely as he retired Team USA in order in the ninth inning of the World Baseball Classic Tuesday night.

Cubs management, knowing the experience for their closer was perhaps a once-in-a-lifetime moment that should bode well for the 26-year-old’s confidence, also watched with mild trepidation knowing the triple-digit flamethrower they call “La Gasolina” was emptying his tank with full-throttle effort before the season has begun.

They also had to be thinking, “Don’t hurt him!” as teammates mobbed Palencia, who had hurled his glove toward the sky with two hands and dropped to his knees after striking out Roman Anthony on a 99.7 mph pitch to finish a 3-2 victory for underdog Venezuela. When all was said and done, there was no getting around the joy felt for this Cub.

“I was really happy, we all were happy for Danny,” manager Craig Counsell said Wednesday. “That’s why you play in the tournament, for moments like that.”

Cubs left-hander Shota Imanaga yelled out watching the last out live on a Cubs media relations person’s phone, seconds after finishing interviews following his outstanding start against the Angels at Sloan Park Tuesday night. Cubs catcher Moises Ballesteros, who had slammed a pair of 400-plus foot home runs an hour or so before Palancia’s performance, saw it too.

“It was amazing,” Ballesteros, a 22-year-old from Venezuela, told the Sun-Times Wednesday. “Watching it, I felt all the emotions. It was a really good experience for the players and coaches. I feel happy it was a first for the country.”

Ballesteros sent a congratulatory text Wednesday morning as Palancia was preparing to fly from Miami to Phoenix. Disappointed team USA members Pete Crow-Armstong and Alex Bregman were also en route but not expected in camp until Friday, following Thursday’s off day. Saturday could be the first day any of them return to game action.

All of them have designs on a deep postseason, with goals of replicating “world champion” celebration snapshots like Palencia’s. So it didn’t hurt to have the guy who might be called on to get the last three outs of a monumental Cubs game this fall get the last three in one so majestic and historic for his country.

“He got a lot out of it,” Counsell said.

“It’s really a confidence thing for me. You’re in a really big moment, you know how you react in those moments. To have success in a moment like that gives you a lot of confidence.”

The Cubs had input into Palancia’s usage in the tournament as major league teams do, including the title game. Trying to balance the risk of overuse in March and allowing him the experience was the thing, and they signed off on a one-inning save situation. It was his second game in two days and third in four.

“The usage is more than anybody would like at this time of year,” Counsell said. “But the moment was also a moment you want someone to experience.”

After throwing 15 pitches in the semifinals against Italy Monday, Palencia came back for 13 pitches Tuesday. He struck out Kyle Schwarber with a 98.5 heater and got Gunnar Henderson to pop out before finishing off Anthony and the Americans.

USA manager Mark DeRosa respected the Padres’ request and did not use triple-digits velo closer Mason Miller, perhaps the best reliever in baseball, against Venezuela after Miller threw 22 pitches in the ninth inning of a 2-1 win over the Dominican Republic Sunday.

The Cubs were also OK with letting Palencia pitch in a save situation, even on consecutive days. The country of Venezuela thanks them.

“If it’s going to be usage that we’re comfortable with,” Counsell said, “we wanted to make sure it was in the moment that every player should get to experience.”

In five scoreless one-inning appearances in the WBC, Palencia did not allowing a hit, issued one walk and hit one batter and struck out nine. He was 3-for-3 in save opportunities.

“The experience was good for him,” Ballesteros said. “Physically, Palencia is ready. He worked hard, he worked a lot. He prepared for that.”