The United States is headed back to the World Baseball Classic final.
In one of the most anticipated matchups in WBC history, the U.S. topped the Dominican Republic, 2-1, in Sunday night’s semifinal.
Gunnar Henderson and Roman Anthony blasted solo homers in the fourth inning that proved to be the difference in the Americans’ victory.
Paul Skenes worked 4.1 innings of one-run ball with two strikeouts. Junior Caminero accounted for the lone run against the reigning NL Cy Young winner, launching a solo shot of his own in the second.
While both countries’ stacked lineups drew most of the attention entering the night, there was some exceptional defence on display at loanDepot Park in Miami.
The standout play of the game came from Julio Rodriguez, who robbed U.S. captain Aaron Judge of a homer in the fifth.
Team USA will now return to the WBC final on Tuesday, looking to avenge its 2023 defeat to Japan.
It will face the winner of Monday’s semifinal between Italy and Venezuela.
More to come.
