USA vs. Dominican Republic, the game that promised to be an early final and did not disappoint. In front of an electric crowd of more than 36,000 fans, the U.S. team showed why it is the reigning champion by defeating a resilient Dominican Republic 2-1, sealing its ticket to the Grand Final of the 2026 World Baseball Classic.
The Dominican lumber made history
Team USA advances to the final of the World Baseball Classic. 🇺🇸⚾️
the u.s. team beats the dominican republic and now awaits its opponent, who will be the winner of the match between italy and venezuela. WorldBaseballClassic pic.twitter.com/q0wsqYmXtz– D/S Sports MX (@dssportsmx) March 16, 2026
The party started early for the Quisqueyanos.
In the second inning, Junior Caminero grounded a pitch from Paul Skenes to fade the ball all the way to center field.
It was his third home run of the tournament and number 15 for the Dominican delegation, setting a new record for home runs by a single team in the history of the Classic.
However, the Caribbean joy was met with a wall named Paul Skenes.
The U.S. ace, despite allowing the home run, showed nerves of steel in escaping a full house in the fourth inning, keeping his team in the fight.
The comeback and the defensive wall
Team USA is one win away from its second #WorldBaseballClassic title! pic.twitter.com/mBNqrYx7VJ
– MLB (@MLB) March 16, 2026
The answer of the Stars and Stripes came by way of lone power.
Gunnar Henderson tied the game with a 400-foot tab, and minutes later, young Roman Anthony turned the game around with another home run to make the final score 2-1.
But the game was not only won with bats, but with golden gloves.
The moment that brought the stadium to a standstill occurred in the fifth inning, when Julio Rodríguez “climbed” the fence to rob Aaron Judge of a home run.
Judge himself and Bobby Witt Jr. made key defensive plays that thwarted every Dominican comeback attempt.
A steel bullpen
MASON MILLER WINS THE BATTLE
TEAM USA WINS THE GAME! #WorldBaseballClassic pic.twitter.com/IJCG9vjv5r
– World Baseball Classic (@WBCBaseball) March 16, 2026
Manager Mark DeRosa handled his pitching with surgical precision.
Tyler Rogers, with his submarine style, and a dominant David Bednar, put out the fires in the seventh inning leaving Dominican runners in scoring position.
Finally, Mason Miller entered in the ninth to close out the shutout, leaving the tying runner suspended at third base.
With this result, the United States moves on to Tuesday’s final, where it will seek the tournament ‘s second championship against the survivor of the match between Venezuela and Italy.
The Dominican Republic leaves with its head held high after playing what has been, so far, the best game of the tournament.
Filed under: USA vs Dominican Republic
