Electric homer was all proof USA needed that starting Gunnar was right call

Team USA's surplus of elite infielders would leave any manager sick with envy -- in theory.

In practice, USA manager Mark DeRosa has to leave a top-tier player on the bench every day, and more often than not, the odd man out has been Gunnar Henderson, crowded out by another five-tool shortstop (Bobby Witt Jr.) and a two-time World Series champion third baseman (Alex Bregman).

But the Orioles shortstop got the call in Team USA's semifinal vs. the Dominican Republic, crushing a game-tying home run in a 2-1 victory that propelled the Americans to their third straight WBC final.

Team USA's "A" lineup -- the one any manager would employ to take down the powerhouse that is the Dominican Republic in a winner-take-all scenario -- typically has not featured Henderson.

But there was one slight complication: the scheduled Dominican starter, veteran right-hander Luis Severino, who Henderson had faced nine times in the regular season. A small sample in which Henderson had seven hits -- five singles, a double and a home run. It was that limited history that earned the 24-year-old a start at third base over Bregman.

"I feel like I can see his pitches well, and it's something that gives you confidence going into the game," Henderson said. "I was able to fight off a couple good pitches and then get one more over the plate, and I didn't miss it."

Sure enough, Henderson led off the fourth against Severino with a 400-foot blast. One out later, Roman Anthony crushed a solo shot to center, giving the Americans a 2-1 edge they wouldn't give up.

“Playing the hot hand, right?” DeRosa told the media earlier in the day. “Gunnar’s got numbers against Severino.”

Quite the risk for DeRosa. But did it ever pay off.