Team USA Edges Dominican Republic to Reach WBC Final

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In a game billed as “The Clash of Titans,” Team USA outlasted the Dominican Republic in a 2–1 defensive masterclass on Sunday night. The semifinal victory at LoanDepot Park in Miami secures the United States a spot in their third consecutive World Baseball Classic championship game and serves as a firm statement after their early-tournament struggles.

Here is the recap of the nail-biter that sent the Americans to the final.

Skenes vs. Severino: A Duel of Dominance

The game featured a dream pitching matchup between NL Cy Young winner Paul Skenes and a revitalized Luis Severino. For the first three innings, both starters lived up to the hype.

Junior’s Record Blast: In the bottom of the second, Tampa Bay phenom Junior Caminero launched a solo home run off a Skenes sweeper to put the Dominican Republic up 1–0. The blast was the Dominicans’ 15th home run of the tournament, setting a new WBC all-time team record.
The Judge’s Verdict: In the third, the Dominicans threatened to extend their lead with two men on, but Aaron Judge quelled the rally by firing a 95.7-mph laser from right field to nail Fernando Tatis Jr. at third base. It was Judge’s hardest throw in three years.

The Fourth-Inning Flip

After Luis Severino escaped a bases-loaded jam in the third by striking out Judge and Kyle Schwarber, the American bats finally broke through in the fourth.

Gunnar’s Equalizer: Gunnar Henderson led off the inning by crushing a 400-foot solo homer to right-center, tying the game at 1–1.
Anthony’s Go-Ahead Moonshot: Just moments later, Red Sox star Roman Anthony—the breakout hero of this tournament—sent a 421-foot bomb into the center-field bleachers off reliever Gregory Soto. The 2–1 lead would prove to be all the Americans needed.

The Bullpen “Great Wall”

While the homers provided the lead, the U.S. bullpen provided the win. Five American relievers combined for 4.2 innings of scoreless, two-hit ball.

The Web Gem: In the fifth, Julio Rodríguez scaled the center-field wall to rob Aaron Judge of a home run, keeping the Dominican Republic within one.
Bednar’s Escape: In the seventh, David Bednar inherited a “runners on the corners” jam. He proceeded to strike out Fernando Tatis Jr. and Ketel Marte back-to-back to preserve the lead.
The Final Strike: In the ninth, Mason Miller entered the game and worked into a full count against Geraldo Perdomo with the tying run at third. Miller froze Perdomo with a 100-mph heater on a controversial called strike that appeared to be low, sealing the 2–1 victory.

The Grand Finale

Team USA (5–1) will now stay in Miami for the WBC Championship Game on Tuesday, March 17. They await the winner of Monday night’s second semifinal between Italy and Venezuela.