The United States defeated the Dominican Republic 2-1 in a semifinal of the 2026 World Baseball Classic on March 15, 2026, at loanDepot park in Miami, Florida, securing a place in the championship game.[1][2]

The game concluded in the ninth inning when U.S. closer Mason Miller of the Oakland Athletics induced a strikeout looking from Dominican Republic shortstop Geraldo Perdomo of the Arizona Diamondbacks.[2][3][4]

In the eighth inning, Dominican Republic outfielder Juan Soto of the New York Yankees also struck out looking on a similar pitch from U.S. reliever David Bednar of the Pittsburgh Pirates, ending a threat to tie the score.[2][5]

The umpire calls drew criticism on social media and from FOX Sports broadcasters Alex Rodriguez, David Ortiz and Derek Jeter during the telecast.[2]

Rodriguez noted the pitch to Perdomo was low in the zone, consistent with umpire Cory Blaser's strike zone but unfortunate to end such a close contest.[2] Ortiz questioned consistency on high and low pitches, while Jeter called for a challenge system in future WBC tournaments and credited U.S. pitching, two home runs, and defense including plays by Aaron Judge and Bobby Witt Jr.[2]

The United States will face the winner of the Venezuela-Italy semifinal in the final.[2]

The 2026 World Baseball Classic, organized by Major League Baseball and the World Baseball Softball Confederation, features 20 national teams competing March 5-22 in a format with pool play followed by quarterfinals, semifinals and final at loanDepot park.[1]

Sources

1. Major League Baseball (MLB), "2026 World Baseball Classic dates, venues and participating teams announced," February 5, 2024, https://www.mlb.com/news/world-baseball-classic-2026-dates-venues-teams-announced
2. FOX Sports, "World Baseball Classic," accessed October 2024, https://www.foxsports.com/mlb/world-baseball-classic
3. Major League Baseball (MLB), "Mason Miller player page," accessed October 2024, https://www.mlb.com/player/mason-miller-696128
4. Major League Baseball (MLB), "Geraldo Perdomo player page," accessed October 2024, https://www.mlb.com/player/geraldo-perdomo-668939
5. Major League Baseball (MLB), "Juan Soto player page," accessed October 2024, https://www.mlb.com/player/juan-soto-665742