Team USA advanced to the World Baseball Classic final with a 2-1 semifinal victory over the Dominican Republic on Sunday night in Miami. Roman Anthony hit the go-ahead solo home run, while Mason Miller sealed the win by striking out Geraldo Perdomo. The game featured standout performances from several under-the-radar players.
In a tense World Baseball Classic semifinal matchup on Sunday night in Miami, Team USA edged the Dominican Republic 2-1, setting up a championship game on Tuesday against the winner of Italy versus Venezuela at 8 p.m. ET on FOX. The game was marked by exceptional pitching and defense, with both teams leaving 14 runners on base despite heavy traffic on the bases. Solo home runs accounted for all the scoring: Gunnar Henderson tied the game with a blast off Luis Severino, and Roman Anthony followed with the go-ahead solo shot against Juan Soto in the same inning, his second homer of the tournament after a three-run shot versus Mexico earlier. Anthony, a 21-year-old Red Sox prospect added to the roster after Corbin Carroll's injury, entered the tournament with a .318/.423/.591 line, two homers, and seven RBIs over six games. Team USA manager Mark DeRosa praised him: 'Roman's special... Twenty-one years old to be able to handle the moment.' Pitching highlights included Paul Skenes' 4 1/3 strong innings, Tyler Rogers inducing a crucial double play from Soto with runners on first and second, David Bednar striking out Fernando Tatis Jr. and Ketel Marte to escape a jam, and Mason Miller closing with a strikeout of Perdomo. Had the game continued, Miller would have faced Tatis Jr. Padres manager Craig Stammen, watching from Peoria, Ariz., expressed relief: 'I know there were probably a few people wanting to see Mason Miller vs. Fernando Tatis Jr.; I was not one of those people.' Stammen noted the challenges of managing shared players, appreciating communication with DeRosa. Red Sox teammate Trevor Story said of Anthony, 'He's just such a special kid... I was expecting him to do something like that.' DeRosa highlighted the bullpen's efforts: 'For our bullpen to come in and do the job they did... Just a game we'll remember forever.'
