Controversial Umpire Call Ends WBC Semi-Final as USA Edges Past Dominican Republic
The United States advanced to the World Baseball Classic final after a tense 2-1 victory over the Dominican Republic on Sunday, in a thrilling semi-final overshadowed by a disputed strike call that ended the game. The Americans will now face the winner of Monday's semi-final between Italy and Venezuela in Tuesday's championship game, aiming for their second WBC title after winning in 2017.
Ninth Inning Drama and a Disputed Final Pitch
The Dominican Republic threatened a late comeback in the ninth inning when Julio Rodríguez drew a walk and advanced to third base against American reliever Mason Miller. With two outs and the dangerous Fernando Tatis Jr waiting on deck, Miller faced Geraldo Perdomo on a full count. The final pitch was called a strike, ending the game, but replays showed it was several inches below the strike zone.
Since the Automated Ball-Strike Challenge system is not used in the World Baseball Classic, the Dominicans were unable to challenge the call. Perdomo, the Arizona Diamondbacks star, reacted with visible frustration after striking out. "[The umpire] knew he was wrong," Perdomo said. "I knew it was 100% wrong." However, he added that the missed call did not ultimately decide the outcome: "We didn't lose the game there."
American Pitching and Defensive Highlights Secure Victory
Despite the controversy, the United States' excellent pitching and defense were key to the win. National League Cy Young Award winner Paul Skenes started for the Americans, giving up one run on six hits through 4.1 innings. The US bullpen then held the Dominicans scoreless for the remainder of the game.
Offensively, Gunnar Henderson homered off Luis Severino in the fourth inning to tie the game, before Roman Anthony hit the go-ahead home run on a 3-2 sinker from Gregory Soto. The matchup between the two star-studded lineups delivered big defensive moments, including Aaron Judge throwing out Tatis at third base in the third inning, and Rodríguez robbing Judge of a home run with a spectacular catch in the fifth.
Dominican Republic's Strong Tournament Run Ends in Disappointment
The Dominican Republic, featuring six players who finished among the top 10 in MVP voting last year, reached the semi-finals for the first time since winning the WBC title in 2013. Junior Caminero hit a solo home run off Skenes in the second inning, giving the Dominicans a record 15 homers in the tournament, surpassing Mexico's 2009 mark. Caminero finished the tournament hitting .350.
However, missing the championship was a disappointment for a team that cruised through the early rounds. Their offense, which had been electric throughout the tournament, was limited by the American pitching staff in the semi-final.
US Team Aims for Championship Despite Offensive Struggles
The loaded American roster, led by stars like Bryce Harper and Aaron Judge, reached its third straight WBC title game. However, their run has not been as dominant as expected, with a shocking loss to Italy in pool play forcing them to rely on help to advance to the quarter-finals, where they beat Canada.
Manager Mark DeRosa acknowledged the challenges: "I'm still waiting for our offense to explode. But it's tough to explode against a pitching staff like that." The Americans will need to find that extra gear to secure the championship on Tuesday.
The game ended on a sour note due to the umpiring controversy, but it highlighted the intense competition and high stakes of the World Baseball Classic, setting the stage for an exciting final.
