NHL: USA generates enough power to edge Dominican Republic in WBC semifinals

MIAMI — Gunnar Henderson and Roman Anthony each hit solo home runs in the fourth inning as Team USA's pitching held the Dominican Republic in check, securing a 2-1 victory in a World Baseball Classic semifinal on Sunday night.

"That was high-level baseball at its finest," USA manager Mark DeRosa said. "Just a game that we'll remember forever. It was three solo shots that decided the game."

The United States advanced to its third WBC final in a row and will aim for its second Classic championship, and first since 2017, against the winner of the Venezuela-Italy semifinal on Tuesday night in Miami. DeRosa confirmed that right-hander Nolan McLean will start the final.

The Dominican Republic fell short in its bid for a second WBC title, and first since 2013.

"It's a bitter drink, but we knew that someone would be happy and the other side would be sad," Dominican manager Albert Pujols said. "We have to keep our heads up because we did a tremendous job."

The Dominican lineup, which averaged 10.2 runs per game in the tournament, was held to just Junior Caminero's two-out solo home run in the second inning off USA starter Paul Skenes (2-0), the reigning National League Cy Young winner. Caminero's homer was his third of the Classic and 15th for the Dominican Republic, breaking the record for most home runs in a single WBC.

"The DR is the toughest lineup I've ever faced, that's for sure," said Skenes, the Pittsburgh Pirates ace. "I think they would say the same thing about us."

USA closer Mason Miller struck out Caminero to start the ninth, then walked Julio Rodriguez, who advanced to second on a wild pitch. Rodriguez moved to third on a groundout by pinch hitter Oneil Cruz, but Miller struck out Geraldo Perdomo looking to end the game and secure his second WBC save.

"I don't want to focus on the last pitch. Obviously, it didn't go our way," Pujols said. "Disappointed about the way the game ended, but I don't want to criticize. It just wasn't meant to be for us."

Miller added, "When you go into a game with a lineup of guys that are staples in the middle of every order around the league and some of the best players in that game, you've got to be at your best."

Dominican starter Luis Severino pitched 3 1/3 innings and allowed the tying home run by Henderson to lead off the fourth. Severino gave up five hits, struck out six, and issued no walks.

Anthony then gave the U.S. a 2-1 lead with a solo homer 421 feet to right-center off reliever Gregory Soto (0-1). Anthony, a South Florida native, played his first professional game at loanDepot Park and first there since 2018 when he competed with Marjory Stoneman Douglas High from nearby Parkland, Fla.

"For me, this is a full-circle moment," Anthony said. "It was a dream of mine since I can remember… just being around these guys and competing day in and day out. It's unbelievable."

USA's bullpen allowed only two hits over 4 2/3 shutout innings. Aaron Judge helped prevent the Dominican Republic from adding to its lead in the third, throwing out Fernando Tatis Jr. at third base.

Skenes ran into trouble in the fourth, giving up a double to Vlad Guerrero Jr., an infield single to Manny Machado, and then hitting Rodriguez with a pitch to load the bases. But he got Austin Wells to fly out to left, ending the threat. Skenes finished 4 1/3 innings, striking out two, walking none, and allowing six hits.

"It makes it a lot easier to be a starting pitcher when you can get to the fifth inning," Skenes said. "The innings are limited in this tournament, and you can hand the ball off confidently knowing the bullpen will get the job done."

In the fifth, Tatis Jr. and Ketel Marte singled with one out, forcing Tyler Rogers into the game. Rogers induced Juan Soto to ground into a double play, ending the inning.

-Field Level Media/Reuters