United States 2, Dominican Republic 1
MIAMI (Mar. 15) — A two-run fourth was enough to give the United States a 2–1 victory over the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic Semifinal Sunday night. Every run in the game came on a solo home run.
United States – Dominican Republic Game Summary
Junior Caminero opened the scoring with a two-out solo homer to left off Paul Skenes in the bottom of the second. Gunnar Henderson tied it with a leadoff shot to right in the fourth off Luis Severino. Later in the inning, a Roman Anthony solo blast off Gregory Soto gave the United States a 2–1 lead and completed the scoring.
What Went Right for the United States
Starting Pitching
United States starting pitcher Paul Skenes scattered six hits across 4 1/3 innings, allowing one run. He walked none and struck two out, also hitting two batters.
Defense
Second baseman Brice Turang made a diving stop to his left to retire Juan Soto with the last out of the first. Gunnar Henderson made a nice barehand-and-throw on a Vladimir Guerrero Jr. bouncer for the first out of the second. Shortstop Bobby Witt Jr made a sliding stop to his right and strong throw to retire Manny Machado by under a step. Right fielder Aaron Judge made a tumbling catch in right field to rob Soto for the first out of the fourth. But perhaps the greatest defensive play by the Americans came when Judge gunned down Fernando Tatis Jr at third as the latter tried to go first-to-third on a third-inning Ketel Marte single.
Clutch Relief Pitching
David Bednar, despite having runners on second and third with one out, struck out Tatis and Marte to escape the jam. Garrett Whitlock pitched a 1-2-3 eighth, striking out the first and the last batters. Mason Miller pitched around a one-out walk for a scoreless ninth. Like Whitlock, he struck out the first and last batters.
What Went Wrong for the United States
Two Inning-Ending Double Plays
The Americans’ turn at bat ended in both the second and eighth with a groundball double play.
Very Little Traffic on the Bases
The United States managed one baserunner after the fifth. That came on a one-out walk in the eighth inning. It was erased by an inning-ending double play.
What Went Right for the Dominican Republic
Double Play Escape Artists
As mentioned earlier, the Dominican Republic twice escaped a jam by turning a side-retiring double play.
Starting Pitching
Luis Severino bent but didn’t break. He allowed one run on five hits, a hit batsman, a homer, no walks, and six strikeouts.
What Went Wrong for the Dominican Republic
Runners Left in Scoring Position
Of the eight runners left on base, six were in scoring position. The Dominican Republic left the bases loaded in the fourth and runners on second and third in the seventh. Plus, they left a runner on third twice — the fifth and the ninth.
Inning-Ending Defensive Plays
The third ended with the Judge throw to third. In the fifth, with one out and runners on first and second, Juan Soto grounded into a double play.
Looking Ahead
Skenes earned the win as Gregory Soto took the loss in relief. Miller notched the save.
The United States will play in the final for the third straight tournament. They won the 2017 edition and lost to Japan in the 2023 final. Their opponents will be the winner of the Italy–Venezuela game Monday night.
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