Key moments
In a closely contested game at loanDepot Park in Miami on March 15, 2026, the USA emerged victorious over the Dominican Republic with a score of 2-1, securing their place in the World Baseball Classic title game. The match was played in front of a sellout crowd of 36,337 fans, who witnessed a thrilling display of baseball.
The Dominican Republic opened the scoring in the second inning when Junior Caminero hit a two-out homer, driving the ball 401 feet to give his team a brief lead. However, the USA responded powerfully in the fourth inning, with Gunnar Henderson and Roman Anthony both hitting home runs, measuring 400 and 421 feet respectively. This offensive surge allowed the USA to take control of the game.
Starting pitcher Paul Skenes led the USA’s efforts on the mound, while Luis Severino took the hill for the Dominican Republic. The game featured a total of eight hits by the Dominican team, but they were unable to capitalize on their opportunities to score more runs.
The final moments of the game were tense, with closer Mason Miller coming in to secure the win for the USA. He retired Geraldo Perdomo, leaving Julio Rodriguez stranded on third base, sealing the 2-1 victory.
Following the game, Aaron Judge expressed his excitement, stating, “This is what you dream about as a kid, playing with the best of the best.” Bobby Witt echoed this sentiment, saying, “If we play our game, I feel like we can beat any team in the world.” Judge also praised his teammate Roman Anthony, highlighting his maturity and performance on such a significant stage.
The Dominican Republic has historically had the upper hand in their matchups against the USA, winning two of the three previous meetings in the World Baseball Classic. Despite this loss, players like Juan Soto reflected on the pride of representing their country, stating, “You cannot be more proud to give them back a little bit of what they’ve been giving you all these years.”
As the USA prepares for the title game, the team will look to build on this momentum and continue their strong performance in the tournament. The victory over the Dominican Republic not only advances them in the competition but also reinforces their status as a formidable contender in international baseball.
Details remain unconfirmed.
