The Dominican Republic advanced to the semifinals of the 2026 World Baseball Classic after defeating South Korea 10-0, in a game that ended in seven innings by the knockout rule. The game was played on Friday night at Miami’s LoanDepot Park, the tournament’s main venue.
The decisive hit came in the seventh inning when Austin Wells hit a three-run home run, which put an end to the game by reaching the necessary advantage to apply the run rule. With this victory, the Dominican team secured its place among the four best teams of the tournament and prepared to face the United States in the semifinals.
A historic offensive in the tournament
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The Dominican Republic’s offense has been one of the most explosive in the World Baseball Classic.
With the victory over Korea, the Caribbean team accumulated 51 runs in five games.
An average of more than ten per game, the highest number among all teams participating in the 2026 World Baseball Classic.
In addition, the Dominican Republic hit 14 home runs in the tournament, the most ever recorded in this edition of the World Baseball Classic.
That number equals the record for home runs in a single edition of the World Classic, a mark also achieved by Mexico in the 2009 tournament.
Dominican offensive power once again made the difference against Korea, a team that had advanced beyond the first round of the Classic for the first time since it was runner-up in the tournament in 2009.
Cristopher Sanchez dominates from the mound
The victory also had a clear protagonist on the mound.
Cristopher Sanchez, Philadelphia Phillies pitcher and 2025 National League Cy Young Award runner-up, turned in a dominating performance.
The left-hander pitched five shutout innings, allowed just two hits and struck out eight batters, completely controlling the Korean offense.
His performance allowed the Dominican Republic to maintain control of this World Baseball Classic game from the first innings.
While the offense continued to extend the lead.
A historical fact about the World Classic
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The decisive hit came in the seventh inning
QuéOnnda.com
Austin Wells’ home run not only sealed the victory for the Dominican Republic, but also went down in the history of the World Baseball Classic.
It was the fifth home run to end a game by a knockout rule in the World Baseball Classic.
In addition, he was the second from the Dominican Republic in this edition.
During the group stage, Juan Soto also had a hit that secured a run-rule victory over the Netherlands.
For more information, visit QuéOnnda.com.
