In a World Baseball Classic semifinal that lived up to every ounce of its star-studded hype, Team USA outlasted the Dominican Republic 2-1 on Sunday night at loanDepot park, punching their ticket to a third consecutive final. Before a raucous crowd of 36,337, the Americans relied on stellar pitching and timely power to silence a Dominican lineup brimming with talent, setting the stage for a shot at redemption after falling short in 2023.
The game was a pitcher’s duel from the jump, with reigning National League Cy Young winner Paul Skenes taking the mound for the U.S. Skenes, the flame-throwing right-hander, delivered 4 1/3 innings of one-run ball, holding the Dominican stars in check despite allowing eight hits overall for his team. But it was the Dominican Republic who struck first. In the bottom of the second, young phenom Junior Caminero launched a solo homer—his third of the tournament—giving the DR a 1-0 lead and sending the pro-Dominican crowd into a frenzy.
Team USA, however, refused to buckle. In the top of the fourth, Gunnar Henderson tied the game with a towering solo shot off Dominican starter Luis Severino. Moments later, Roman Anthony followed suit, crushing another homer to put the Americans ahead 2-1. Those back-to-back blasts proved to be all the offense the U.S. needed, as their bullpen slammed the door shut. The Dominicans managed eight hits but left eight runners on base, stranding opportunities in a game decided by inches.
The tension peaked in the ninth inning. With the tying run on third and two outs, closer Mason Miller faced Geraldo Perdomo in a full count. Miller’s payoff pitch—a high fastball—caught the outside corner, but the called strike three sparked immediate controversy. Perdomo and the Dominican bench argued vehemently, believing the ball was outside the zone, but the call stood. As the U.S. players mobbed each other on the field, the debate raged on social media and in the stands—was it a strike or a gift from the umpire? Incidents like this only bolster the case for implementing an Automated Ball-Strike (ABS) system, where technology could remove the subjectivity of human umpiring and ensure fairer outcomes in high-stakes moments. Either way, it sealed the victory and advanced Team USA to Tuesday’s championship game against the winner of Monday’s Venezuela-Italy semifinal.
Captain Aaron Judge, who struck out in a key spot earlier but anchored the lineup, called it “one of the toughest games I’ve ever been a part of.” The U.S. squad, loaded with All-Stars like Bryce Harper and Judge, has now won their last two WBC semifinals by a combined three runs, proving their mettle under pressure. For the Dominican Republic, perennial favorites with a roster featuring Wander Franco and others, the loss stings as another near-miss in their quest for a second title since 2013.
This semifinal wasn’t just a game; it was a showcase of baseball’s global appeal, with electric defense, clutch hitting, and that unforgettable ending. As Team USA eyes their second WBC crown in three tournaments, the stage is set for more drama in Miami.
