The Dominican Republic defeated USA 3-1 and they will advance to the semifinals of the World Baseball Classic. They rallied back in the top of the ninth inning to complete a comeback, forcing Team USA to an elimination game against Puerto Rico.
The Dominican broke the tie in the ninth against baseball's best closer, Craig Kimbrel. Nelson Cruz started things off immediately with a first pitch line drive double to right field that was cut off by Giancarlo Stanton. Carlos Santana moved him over to third and with one out, Erick Aybar drove him in from third base.
With two outs, after an Alejandro de Aza strikeout, Aybar stole second and Jose Reyes sent a sharp grounder past Jimmy Rollins for the second run of the inning.
It all came crashing down for the U.S. in the ninth inning after a game that was dominated by pitching. Team USA and the Dominican Republic were locked up in what turned out to be a pitchers dual despite both lineups featuring dynamic hitters.
For most of the game, the score was 1-1. The Americans struck immediately in the bottom of the first inning. With runners on every base, Eric Hosmer was patient enough to walk, scoring Brandon Phillips from third.
The Dominicans answered back immediately in the second inning when Hanley Ramirez sent an R.A. Dickey pitch over the fence to tie the game with a bomb to left field.
From then on, it was all about pitching. Team USA had six singles, lacking the power that would have been filled in by none other than David Wright, who couldn't play Thursday night because of back issues.
The game became so intense as it went down the stretch that Pedro Strop, the Dominican reliever who also pitches for the Baltimore Orioles, was absolutely ecstatic when recording the third and final out in the bottom of the eighth to retire the U.S. He pumped his chest as he walked off the mound.
The atmosphere was electric as fans packed Marlins Park. It felt more like a playoff game than a World Baseball Classic game.
Altogether, the pitching became the highlight as the bullpen completely shut things down once both teams went to their relievers. The Dominican Republic removed Samuel Deduno after four innings after giving up a run and striking out seven. Then Kelvin Herrera came in for two innings and left untouched. Octavio Dotel then stepped up and shut it down. Fernando Rodney came in to close out the game in the bottom of the ninth.
The Americans had Luke Gregerson, Tim Collins and Steve Cishek didn't give up a run after in their time on the mound. It wasn't until Kimbrel came on the mound that the Americans gave up a run in the top of the ninth.
Catch the U.S. face Puerto Rico on Friday.
