Summary:
- Team USA beat the Dominican Republic 2–1 to advance to its third straight World Baseball Classic final.
- The Americans scored home runs via Gunnar Henderson and Roman Anthony after an early Dominican lead.
- Strong pitching from Paul Skenes and the U.S. bullpen sealed the win in a tense ninth inning.
After Team USA closed out a 2–1 win over the Dominican Republic in Sunday night’s semifinal of the 2026 World Baseball Classic, the players let themselves enjoy the moment.
Paul Skenes, the National League Cy Young winner, shouted “Let’s go!” after the final out. Closer Mason Miller yelled and pointed skyward. Teammates hugged near the mound as coaches joined the quick celebration.
Then the mood shifted. The smiles faded quickly because everyone knew the job was not finished.
“Got the job done. That’s it” Miller said. “That’s all we’re here to do is do our job.”
The victory sends the United States to its third straight World Baseball Classic championship game. The Americans lifted the trophy in 2017 and came up short in 2023 when Shohei Ohtani and Japan won the title. This time, the U.S. will face either Italy or Venezuela in Tuesday night’s final.
On paper, the American roster is packed with star power. Bryce Harper and Aaron Judge headline the lineup, while Skenes anchors the pitching staff. Even with that talent, the road back to the final has not been as smooth as many expected.
A surprising loss to Italy during pool play put the U.S. in a difficult spot and forced them to rely on other results to move forward. They regrouped in the quarterfinals with a win over Canada, but manager Mark DeRosa believes his offense still has more to show.
I’m still waiting for our offense to explode. But it’s tough to explode against a pitching staff like that
The Dominicans struck first in the second inning when Junior Caminero launched a 401-foot home run to left field, giving his team a 1–0 lead and setting a tournament record with the country’s 15th homer.
Gunnar Henderson answered in the fourth with a solo shot that tied the game. Later in the inning, Roman Anthony connected for another homer that proved to be the difference.
Skenes allowed just one run over 4 1/3 innings, while the bullpen held the Dominican lineup to two hits the rest of the way.
The Dominicans made one final push in the ninth after Julio Rodríguez walked and reached third base. Miller managed to close it out with a tense final out against Geraldo Perdomo.
Dominican manager Albert Pujols said
I’m disappointed about the way the game (ended) but I don’t want to criticize any of that. It just wasn’t meant to be for us.
For DeRosa, the night was another reminder of how much the tournament means for the sport.
The WBC has this magnetic way of just growing the game of baseball
Can the USA claim only their 2nd WBC title or will a new name make it on the trophy? Get all the best odds with Selected US sportsbooks
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