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Team USA is heading back to the World Baseball Classic final behind an impressive defensive showing. In a low-scoring 2-1 win over the Dominican Republic on Sunday, the U.S. bullpen finished the standard set by starter Paul Skenes, holding back the D.R.’s bats in the final innings.
After taking the lead in the fourth inning off a pair of solo homers from Gunnar Henderson and Roman Anthony, USA’s bullpen held the Dominican Republic’s powerful offense without a run, despite the D.R. getting seven hits. In the third inning, prior to the U.S. taking the lead, Junior Caminero broke through with a solo bomb, giving the Dominican Republic its record-breaking 15th home run of the WBC tournament.
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In the end, though, it all came down to a final pitch. After Geraldo Perdomo worked the count full at the bottom of the ninth, with a game-tying run on third, U.S. closer Mason Miller threw a low ball that was ruled a strike — despite not being anywhere near the zone.
With the score staying low, the game ended up being all about defense. Dominican Republic starter Luis Severino opened the game by striking out Bobby Witt Jr. and Bryce Harper, starting things on an emphatic note. In a tone-setting third inning, Severino struck out three batters, including a strikeout on Kyle Schwarber that left U.S. runners stranded on second and third.
But the fun didn’t last forever, as Severino was removed in the fourth inning after allowing Henderson’s solo homer. Severino ended the night with six strikeouts in 3.1 innings.
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The U.S. also showed up with some big defensive plays, including two massive throws from outfielder Aaron Judge.
Skenes was able to get the USA out of a major jam at the bottom of the fourth to keep the U.S. lead, letting the Dominican Republic load the bases — including with a nasty hit by pitch on Julio Rodriguez. But in the next inning, Rodriguez got revenge, robbing Aaron Judge of what looked like a sure solo homer.
Skenes was relieved in the fifth inning after allowing back-to-back singles. He finished with two strikeouts and a 1.08 ERA in 4.1 innings.
In Skenes’ absence, the USA bullpen pulled the team out of multiple jams to stay alive, while the U.S. bats went completely silent. All in all, the Dominican Republic’s bullpen struck out the USA lineup 15 times, but it didn’t end up being enough.
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The United States will now return to the WBC final, with a chance to avenge their loss to Japan in 2023. USA will face the winner of the semifinal between Venezuela and Italy for the championship.
Live49 updatesSun, March 15, 2026 at 8:08 PM PDT
Team USA will be playing for the WBC title on Tuesday. The Americans’ opponent will be decided Monday in the semifinal between Venezuela and Italy.
Sun, March 15, 2026 at 8:05 PM PDT
Mason Miller gets it done, striking out Geraldo Perdomo (on a questionably low called strike 3) to finish the ninth inning and send the Americans on to the finals.
What a fantastic game, and what an incredible performance from the USA pitching staff to shut down arguably the best offense in this tournament.
Sun, March 15, 2026 at 8:04 PM PDT
Tatis is on deck. Rodriguez is still on 3rd. Two outs in the ninth.
This game is so good.
Sun, March 15, 2026 at 8:02 PM PDT
Oneil Cruz grounds out on a close play, and Julio Rodriguez advances to third.
The tying run is now 90 feet away for D.R.
Sun, March 15, 2026 at 8:00 PM PDT
The first pitch to Cruz pops out of catcher Will Smith’s glove, and Julio Rodriguez moves to second.
The tying run is in scoring position for the Dominican Republic.
Sun, March 15, 2026 at 7:58 PM PDT
Julio takes ball 4, and the tying run is aboard for the D.R. with one out in the ninth.
Oneil Cruz is up to bat as the potential winning run.
Sun, March 15, 2026 at 7:56 PM PDT
Caminero strikes out swinging. That’s out No. 1.
Oneil Cruz is in the on-deck circle to pinch-hit for Wells.
Sun, March 15, 2026 at 7:54 PM PDT
Buxton strikes out, Turang grounds out, and we’re headed to the bottom of the ninth.
Mason Miller gets the ball to try to close it out for Team USA. Caminero, Rodriguez and Wells are coming up for D.R.
Sun, March 15, 2026 at 7:49 PM PDT
Camilo Doval is on the mound for D.R. in the ninth. He strikes out Will Smith for out No. 1.
Sun, March 15, 2026 at 7:44 PM PDT
Guerrero grounds out, and Machado whiffs on a slider for strike 3, and we’re headed to the 9th inning.
Team USA would love some insurance. Team D.R. has three outs left to tie this game.
Sun, March 15, 2026 at 7:40 PM PDT
He strikes out Soto for out No. 1.
The Americans also made a defensive substitution, with Byron Buxton replacing Anthony and moving to center field. Ernie Clement pinch-ran for Schwarber in the previous half-inning and remains in the lineup as the DH.
Sun, March 15, 2026 at 7:35 PM PDT
Seranthony Domínguez handled the top of the 8th for D.R., striking out Judge, walking Schwarber and inducing a double-play ball from Henderson.
The Dominican lineup is down to its last 6 outs to tie this game.
Sun, March 15, 2026 at 7:27 PM PDT
After striking out Tatis, Bednar gets another huge strikeout of Ketel Marte, and that’s the end of the seventh inning.
The Dominicans had a really good chance to tie the game right there, but it’s still 2-1 headed to the eighth.
Sun, March 15, 2026 at 7:23 PM PDT
An Austin Wells one-out double followed by a Perdomo single has the go-ahead run on base for D.R.
Perdomo steals second to move into scoring position, but Tatis strikes out for out No. 2.
Bednar is on the mound for Team USA.
Sun, March 15, 2026 at 7:16 PM PDT
PCA, Witt and Harper go down in order in the top of the 7th, and it’s time to stretch in Miami.
Sun, March 15, 2026 at 7:09 PM PDT
Air Force Academy graduate Griffin Jax took the ball for the Americans in the sixth and set down Guerrero, Machado and Caminero to keep it a 2-1 ballgame headed to the seventh.
Witt deliverd another spectacular play to get Machado.
Sun, March 15, 2026 at 7:05 PM PDT
Brazobán makes quick work of Smith, Anthony and Turang, with 3 K’s, and the Dominican bats are back up in the sixth.
Sun, March 15, 2026 at 6:57 PM PDT
Tyler Rogers comes in to relieve Skenes and induces a grounder from Juan Soto. Bobby Witt Jr. makes a beautiful play to turn two, and that’s the end of the 5th inning.
This game is headed to the 6th inning, still 2-1 USA.
Sun, March 15, 2026 at 6:53 PM PDT
In the top of the 5th, Perdomo flies out, and then Tatis and Ketel Marte deliver back-to-back singles to put two on and chase Skenes from the ballgame.
The American ace exits after 4 1/3 innings and 71 pitches, having allowed six hits and one run (the Caminero solo blast) with two strikeouts.
Sun, March 15, 2026 at 6:47 PM PDT
And that does it for the Americans in the top of the 5th.
Skenes is back out for the bottom of the frame.
