Team USA defeated Team Dominican Republic 2-1 in the World Baseball Classic semifinals on Sunday night at LoanDepot Park in Miami, Florida. With the win, Team USA moves to the WBC Final on Wednesday night.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
Team Dominican Republic went with right hander Luis Severino on the mound. He was sharp in the first inning, striking out the first two. A pair of baserunners would reach with two outs, but Severino escaped the inning unscathed.
Team USA went with Paul Skenes on the mound. Skenes pitched to contact in the first, with three balls being put in play but all at American defenders. The game stayed 0-0 through one inning.
The DR jumped in front in the bottom of the second. Junior Caminero launched a solo home run off of Skenes, giving his team an early 1-0 lead in this win-or-go-home game.
It took till the fourth inning, but the Americans would answer. Gunnar Henderson tied the game with a home run of his own. Then, Gregory Soto replaced Severino. He was met by Roman Anthony, who promptly hit a homer of his own and gave Team USA their first lead of the night at 2-1.
The lead would stay 2-1 as this game winded through the middle to late innings. At one point, it appeared the DR would tie the game on a base hit. However, the baserunner held up, and Team USA eventually got out of the inning thanks to David Bednar’s two strikeouts.
In the bottom of the ninth, Mason Miller entered for Team USA in a save situation. Miller allowed a baserunner via the walk. However, he slammed the door shut and finished the game with a strikeout to clinch a win for the Americans.
BIG NUMBER: 8
The DR racked up eight hits in this game. They outhit the Americans. However, they left runners on base all night long. Team USA worked out of a number of jams to hold their slim lead.
PLAYER OF THE GAME: Gunnar Henderson
Henderson has been a difference-maker in this tournament for Team USA. Once again, he led the offense with a big solo home run. Manager Mark DeRosa gave him the start over Alex Bregman, and it paid off in this instance.
UP NEXT: Team USA moves to the World Baseball Classic Final on Wednesday night. They will face the winner of Team Italy vs Team Venezuela, which will be played tomorrow night.