USA Beats Dominican Republic to Reach Third Straight WBC Final

U.S. Baseball Team Secures Narrow 2‑1 Victory Over Dominican Republic, Advances to World Baseball Classic Final

The U.S. baseball squad edged out the Dominican Republic in a tight 2‑1 showdown, securing their spot in the World Baseball Classic final for a third consecutive year. While the win was less dominant than some anticipated, it kept the team alive in a fiercely competitive tournament.

• First Inning: Junior Caminero launched a long homer for the Dominicans, giving them an early lead.
• Fourth Inning: Gunnar Henderson answered with a solo shot that tied the game at 1‑1.
• Later Inning: Roman Anthony hit a go‑ahead home run for the U.S., putting them ahead until the final inning.

The game remained close throughout. In the ninth, Julio Rodríguez drew a walk and advanced to third base, threatening to score. U.S. closer Mason Miller secured the final out against Geraldo Perdomo, earning his second save of the tournament. The Dominican manager expressed disappointment but did not blame anyone for the loss.

Key moments highlighted the impact of star players:

• Aaron Judge’s fastball allowed Henderson to tag out a runner.
• Bobby Witt Jr. executed a double play that saved the U.S. from trouble.

Despite the victory, coach Mark DeRosa emphasized the need for more offense to achieve true dominance. He praised his players’ resilience and expressed hope for an explosive performance in the final.

The U.S. will face either Italy or Venezuela—who won their semifinal game—in the title match on Tuesday night, as fans and players prepare for another exciting baseball showdown.