WBC 'Amazing' Experience for Texas Rangers Pitcher Martin Perez

Martin Perez returned to Texas Rangers Spring Training after pitching for Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic.

Texas Rangers starter Martín Pérez is back in Spring Training and started a back-field minor league game on Thursday. It’s time for him to ramp up for the regular season, which is now less than a week away.

But he was in a reflective mood on Thursday, still, about his experience with Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic.

“Good energy,” Pérez said. “Playing for Venezuela was amazing. We had a lot of fans from our country. You’ve got all of those supporters and all of those fans watching you. All the world is watching you. For me it was a good experience.”

His first start was Venezuela’s pool play game against the Dominican Republic in Miami. The Dominican Republic was considered one of the favorites in the WBC and, led by Pérez, Venezuela pulled the upset.

He pitched 3 1/3 innings and allowed just one earned run against the vaunted lineup. His off-speed stuff looked crisp and his fastball had plenty of life. He almost looked to be in midseason form.

He said keeping his emotions in check was key to doing his job that night.

“That kind of tournament, that’s what you need to do,” he said. “What shows your emotions is when something happens really quick. I think I was able to control my emotions, hold the game in that second inning and then we came back and scored runs.”

His next start came in the quarterfinals against Team USA. It didn’t go well.

Pérez gave up five consecutive hits and three runs before being pulled with just one out in the first inning. Venezuela eventually lost, 9-7.

“That’s OK,” Pérez said. “That’s how it goes.”

But he wouldn’t trade that experience for anything.

“This World Baseball Classic was crazy with a lot of fans and people saying a lot of things,” Pérez said. “I’m glad I did it.”

More From SI’s Inside The Rangers:

1. Jose Altuve Injury Potentially Helps Texas Rangers Playoff Chances
2. MLB Plan for Television Texas Rangers
3. Texas Rangers Terminating TV Rights if Bally Sports Goes Bankrupt
4. Texas Rangers TV Uncertain in RSN Bankruptcy
5. Rangers Must Lock Up Two Big Stars Before Season
6. Latest Rangers Roster Projection
7. Rangers Make Decision on Left Fielder
8. Nadel Steps Away from Rangers Broadcasts to Begin Season
9. Rangers Opening Day Starter, Rotation Appear Set as Season Looms
10. Rangers Ace deGrom Honest Thoughts on Pitch Clock, Organization

---

You can find Matthew Postins on Twitter @PostinsPostcard

Catch up with Inside the Rangers on Facebook and Twitter.

Need to catch up on the Rangers? Check out our Texas Rangers Offseason Central Page!

Need to get ready for Spring Training? Check out our Rangers Spring Training Tracker