United States defeats Dominican Republic, advances to World Baseball Classic Final
United States defeats Dominican Republic to advance to the World Baseball Classic Final.
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Team USA was able to narrowly defeat the Dominican Republic, 2-1, on Sunday night to advance to the World Baseball Classic (WBC) final.
But the final at-bat came under fire as U.S. closer Mason Miller got Dominican Republic shortstop Geraldo Perdomo to strike out looking. Juan Soto also struck out looking on a similar pitch from David Bednar in the eighth inning. The Soto strikeout ended the Dominican Republic’s chances of tying the game, while Perdomo’s strikeout ended the game.
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Dominican Republic Geraldo Perdomo reacts after striking out at the end of the ninth inning of a World Baseball Classic semifinal game against the United States, Sunday, March 15, 2026, in Miami. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
The call sparked a debate on social media.
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FOX Sports broadcasters Alex Rodriguez, David Ortiz and Derek Jeter also weighed in.
"A ball that’s about four inches down, too close take. But this is Cory Blaser’s hot zone and it’s down. Sure enough, he lived (up) to his scouting report," Rodriguez said. "You just hate to end a game this big, with these types of consequences on a pitch that’s not a strike."
Dominican Republic's Juan Soto strikes out during the eighth inning of a World Baseball Classic semifinal game against the United States, Sunday, March 15, 2026, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
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Ortiz said if the umpire was calling 100 mph pitches up in the zone strikes, then the pitch from Miller low in the zone couldn’t have been a strike.
"I’m pretty sure they’re going to have the challenge system in place for the next WBC," Jeter said. "You hate to end a game that way. But you give credit to the U.S. They not only pitched well, they hit two home runs. They played great defense – whether it was Aaron (Judge) with the throw to third base, Bobhy Witt with the plays that he made – saved a run early on by knocking a ball down as well. Great pitching, great defense, U.S. deserves to go to the final."
United States pitcher Mason Miller and catcher Will Smith celebrate at the end of the ninth inning during a World Baseball Classic semifinal game against the Dominican Republic, Sunday, March 15, 2026, in Miami. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
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Team USA will await the winner of Venezuela and Italy.
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Gunnar Henderson and Roman Anthony hit home runs to give the United States the lead over the Dominican Republic
Gunnar Henderson and Roman Anthony each hit home runs to give the United States the lead over the Dominican Republic.
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Aaron Judge had a ton of praise for the World Baseball Classic’s environment after Team USA narrowly defeated the Dominican Republic, 2-1, at loanDepot Park in Miami on Sunday.
Judge made an incredible defensive play when he threw out Fernando Tatis Jr. trying to get to third base. The New York Yankees star also had a home run, or a likely double, taken away by center fielder Julio Rodriguez.
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United States right fielder Aaron Judge (99) runs after hitting a double during the first inning against Canada during a quarterfinal game of the 2026 World Baseball Classic at Daikin Park on March 13, 2026. (Troy Taormina/Imagn Images)
The atmosphere was electric and Judge told reporters after the game it was better than the World Series.
"It was bigger and better than the World Series," he said. "The passion that these fans have, representing their country, representing some of their favorite players, there’s nothing like it."
"You get chills standing there on the line, hearing them announce all the names," he added. "It was like an All-Star team they got over there."
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United States star Aaron Judge reacts after striking out during the eighth inning of a World Baseball Classic semifinal game against the Dominican Republic, Sunday, March 15, 2026, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
More than 36,000 packed the Miami Marlins’ stadium to watch the World Baseball Classic semifinal. The crowd got hot when Junior Caminero homered off Paul Skenes and roared a few more times when Team USA’s Gunnar Henderson tied the game and Roman Anthony hit the go-ahead dinger.
Anthony reminisced about the 2023 World Baseball Classic final, revealing he bought a ticket to watch the U.S., but they fell to Japan.
"Coming to the WBC here, you dream of representing this country and being here the next time around," Anthony said.
United States' Aaron Judge gestures to the team after hitting a single during the first inning of a World Baseball Classic semifinal game against the Dominican Republic, Sunday, March 15, 2026, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
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The U.S. will now await the winner of the Venezuela-Italy game to see who they will face in the final.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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