The Dominican Republic defeated the Netherlands in the World Baseball Classic advancing to the championship versus Puerto Rico. They won the game 4-1 and received help from an unlikely hero as the Dominican pitching was lights out and their offense turned at the right time.
Moises Sierra had an RBI double that got the Dominicans on the board tying the game 1-1. Eventually, this hit led to a four-run inning that put the Dominicans up for good. Prior to his bat coming through in the clutch, Sierra somehow made a grab down the left field line as a fan almost interfered and while he was running into the wall in foul territory. He reached over and wound up in the stands, but he had completed the catch.
The Dominican offense got it rolling following Sierra's RBI double.
Jose Reyes added more fuel and a run to the scoreboard with a bloop single to center field that scored Sierra. The Dominicans had a 2-1 lead, which was immediate trouble for the Netherlands because the Dominican Republic's bullpen had not allowed a run in the second round.
Reyes aka La Melaza, scored on a wild pitch by Tom Stuifberger who replaced Markwell. Miguel Tejada scored after a hit by Edwin Encarnacion, making it 4-1 as Robinson Cano was tagged out at third base.
Kelvin Herrera came in to pitch the sixth, gave up a double and then struckout Andruw Jones to end the inning and got two quick outs in the seven as he was hitting the strikezone and punishing the lower outside corner of the plate. He pitched two innings of scoreless baseball.
Then Pedro Strop took the ball and he was flashing the leather recording all three outs in the inning to retire three of the four Dutch players he faced.
Fernando Rodney put away his Super Platano and took the mound as he closed the game for the Dominican Republic.
As predicted, Edison Volquez struggled in the first inning and surrendered the lead early as he couldn't find the strikezone. Once again, similar to his start against Italy, he walked the first couple of hitters. He didn't give up a hit, but the Netherlands put the ball in play moving runners over and eventually Wladimir Baletnien drove in a run from third base.
Though he struggled at first, Volquez pitched well as the game progressed going five innings allowing one run on two walks and five strikeouts.
The Dominicans were locked down early by Netherland pitching though they were the first of the two teams to get a base hit. Base running and a bunting mishap got the Dominicans out of possible scoring threats. Hanley Ramirez was picked off and Miguel Tejada bunted with two outs in the bottom of the third inning. The Dominican Republic's bats were lulled by Diegomar Markwell who went 4.2 innings allowing six hits and four earned runs. He completely lost it in the bottom of the fifth and the Dominican bats and tamboras in the crowd were awakened.
The Netherlands was unable to recover from the Dominican four-run fifth inning. Compile that with the performance the Dominican bullpens put together and there was no way the Netherlands was coming back in this game.
Now the Dominican Republic will face Puerto Rico, who they've defeated twice in the World Baseball Classic first and second rounds.
