U.S. beats Dominican Republic 2-1 to reach 3rd straight WBC title game

MIAMI (AP) — Team USA's celebration after beating the Dominican Republic on Sunday night in the World Baseball Classic semifinals was electric and brief.

NL Cy Young award winner Paul Skenes roared “Let's go!” after the final out. Closer Mason Miller let out a yell and pointed toward the sky. Players and coaches embraced on the field.

Moments later, the smiles were gone and the message was clear: They've got more work to do.

“Got the job done. That’s it," Miller said. “That’s all we’re here to do is do our job.”

The loaded U.S. team — led by Skenes and featuring stars Bryce Harper and Aaron Judge — outdueled the Dominican Republic 2-1 to reach its third straight WBC title game. The Americans won in 2017 and fell to Shohei Ohtani and Japan in 2023. They will face the winner the second semifinal Monday night between Italy and Venezuela in the title game Tuesday night.

Even though the Americans were favored to get back to the final, the run hasn't been quite as dominant as expected.

A shocking loss to Italy in pool play left the Americans needing help to advance to the quarterfinals, where they beat Canada, but manager Mark DeRosa still believes his lineup has another gear to reach.

“I’m still waiting for our offense to explode," he said. "But it’s tough to explode against a pitching staff like that”

The U.S. didn't need an offensive outburst to beat a talented Dominican squad.

Junior Caminero gave the Dominicans a 1-0 lead in the second with the country's tournament-record 15th home run, driving Skenes' 1-2 sweeper 401 feet to left.

Gunnar Henderson, starting at third base over Alex Bregman, answered in the fourth with a tying solo shot off Luis Severino. Roman Anthony followed later with the go-ahead homer against loser Gregory Soto.

“I feel like we haven’t played our complete game yet,” Henderson said, "but we came through and battled each and every game, and I feel like that’s just a testament to the guys in this room.”

The Dominicans cruised through the early rounds and reached the semis for the first time since winning the WBC title in 2013.

They faced their biggest test of the tournament against Skenes (2-0), who gave up one run on six hits through 4 1/3 innings, and the U.S. bullpen, which combined for 4 2/3 innings of two-hit ball.

The Dominicans threatened in the ninth when Julio Rodríguez drew a walk and advanced to third against Miller. The closer secured a controversial final out against Geraldo Perdomo for his second save.

“I’m disappointed about the way the game (ended),” Dominican manager Albert Pujols said, “but I don’t want to criticize any of that. It just wasn’t meant to be for us.”

The matchup between the two star-studded lineups delivered plenty of big moments.

In the third, Judge fired a 95.7 mph laser from right field that allowed Henderson to tag out Fernando Tatis Jr. at third. After taking one of Skenes' fastballs to the wrist, Rodríguez scaled the center-field wall to rob Judge of a home run in the top of the fifth. In the bottom half, shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. turned an impressive double play to get the Americans out of a jam.

“The WBC has this magnetic way of just growing the game of baseball,” DeRosa said. “I go back to the last time when Ohtani struck out Mike Trout, and baseball won that night. Whether we won or didn’t win, baseball won. I think baseball won again tonight.”

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Dominican Republic Julio Rodríguez is hit by a pitch during the fourth inning of a World Baseball Classic semifinal game against the United States, Sunday, March 15, 2026, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

United States' Aaron Judge (99) hits a single during the first inning of a World Baseball Classic semifinal game against the Dominican Republic, Sunday, March 15, 2026, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

United States pitcher Paul Skenes (30) aims a pitch during the first inning of a World Baseball Classic semifinal game against the Dominican Republic, Sunday, March 15, 2026, in Miami. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

Dominican Republic Geraldo Perdomo reacts after striking out at the end of the ninth inning of a World Baseball Classic semifinal game against the United States, Sunday, March 15, 2026, in Miami. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

United States' Gunnar Henderson (11) celebrates after hitting a home run during the fourth inning of a World Baseball Classic semifinal game against the Dominican Republic, Sunday, March 15, 2026, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

MIAMI (AP) — Gunnar Henderson started at third base for the United States over Alex Bregman Sunday night in the World Baseball Classic semifinals, then homered in the fourth inning against the Dominican Republic.

Henderson, a star shortstop for the Baltimore Orioles, drove a 3-2 sweeper from Luis Severino 400 feet to right-center to tie the game and set up the go-ahead home run in a 2-1 win for the Americans' third straight trip to the WBC final.

Manager Mark DeRosa moved Henderson into the starting spot because of his favorable career numbers against Severino, and that decision paid off.

“I feel like I can see his pitches well,” Henderson said, “and it’s something that gives you confidence going into the game. I was able to fight off a couple good pitches and then get one more over the plate, and I didn’t miss it.”

Henderson entered the game 7 for 9 in his career against Severino with a home run, double and four RBIs. Bregman is 5 for 21 in the regular season against Severino with a homer and three RBIs.

“Seven of nine, that’s a good sample size,” DeRosa said. “He obviously sees Luis well, and Luis threw the heck out of the ball.”

Henderson has gone 6 of 14 with a double and two home runs in three WBC games.

DeRosa added he spoke on Saturday with Bregman, who has gone 2 for 11 in four games, about the benching.

“These guys like the lineup out the night before, so I was able to do that, and he was good with it," DeRosa said. "It’s game on.”

Will Smith started at catcher over Cal Raleigh, who is hitless in nine plate appearances this WBC.

Sunday's game was expected to be a thrilling star-studded matchup, with the Dominicans bringing the hottest lineup in the tournament against arguably the best pitcher in baseball in Paul Skenes.

The Dominicans are 5-0 in the tournament, have outscored opponents 51-10 while batting .312.

“Skenes is one of the best pitchers today in the major leagues," Dominican manager Albert Pujols said. “But we also have one of the best offenses in this tournament, so it’s going to be power versus power. We’ll try to win.”

Marlins ace Sandy Alcantara will start on Tuesday if the Dominicans advance to the final regardless of who they face, Pujols said. Italy plays Venezuela in the semis on Monday night.

“Alcantara will be our pitcher no matter what,” Pujols said. "If God gives us that opportunity, if we move to the final, Alcantara will be the starter. I’m not going to change it no matter what, no matter if it is Italy or Venezuela. ... I trust Sandy, and I hope to be here talking with you on Tuesday.”

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United States' Gunnar Henderson (11) celebrates his home run during the fourth inning of a World Baseball Classic semifinal game against the Dominican Republic, Sunday, March 15, 2026, in Miami. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

United States' Gunnar Henderson hits a home run during the fourth inning of a World Baseball Classic semifinal game against the Dominican Republic, Sunday, March 15, 2026, in Miami. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

United States shortstop Gunnar Henderson (11) hits a home run in the sixth inning of a World Baseball Classic game, Tuesday, March 10, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)