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| Skins / Photo provided by GettyImages |
[Sports Today reporter Shin Seo-young] The United States knocked off pre-tournament favorite the Dominican Republic to reach the 2026 World Baseball Classic final.
The U.S. beat the Dominican Republic 2-1 in a semifinal at LoanDepot Park in Miami, Florida, on March 16 (KST).
The victory sends the U.S. to the WBC final for the third straight edition, following appearances in 2017 and 2023.
The United States took the title in 2017 but fell to Japan — led by Shohei Ohtani — in the 2023 final, finishing as runner-up.
Chasing a return to the top after nine years, the U.S. will meet the winner of Italy vs. Venezuela on March 17 for the championship.
The Dominican Republic had reached the semifinals with a 10-0 mercy-rule win over South Korea on March 14 and was aiming for its first WBC crown since 2013, but its run ended in the semifinals.
Starter Skins threw 4.1 innings, allowing six hits (one home run), two walks and striking out two while surrendering one run to earn the win.
The bullpen — Rogers (0.2 innings), Jax (1), Bedner (1), Whitlock (1) and Miller (1) — turned in scoreless relief to protect the lead.
At the plate, Henderson and Anthony each hit solo homers to provide the U.S. offense.
Dominican starter Severino lasted 3.1 innings, giving up five hits (one homer), one walk, striking out six and allowing one run. Reliever Soto took the loss after surrendering a homer in 0.1 innings, allowing one hit and recording one strikeout.
The Dominican Republic struck first. In the bottom of the second, with two outs and nobody on, Camineró connected on Skins’ fourth pitch — an 84.4 mph (about 135.8 km/h) sweeper — and cleared the left-center fence for a one-run homer.
The U.S. rallied in the top of the fourth. Leading off, Henderson battled Severino to a full-count, nine-pitch at-bat and tied the game with a solo shot that carried behind the right fielder.
After Smith popped out to left, Anthony jumped on reliever Soto’s sixth pitch — a 95.2 mph (about 153.2 km/h) sinker — and delivered the go-ahead solo homer.
From there, both teams settled into a pitchers’ duel and no further runs were scored.
In the bottom of the ninth, the Dominican Republic threatened. With one out, Rodríguez drew a walk and advanced to second on a wild pitch, putting runners in scoring position.
But Cruz hit a grounder to short and Perdomo struck out, ending the threat and the game.
[Sports Today reporter Shin Seo-young sports@stoo.com]
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