Spanish
Miami. – Despite the elimination in the semifinals of the 2026 World Baseball Classic, star outfielder Juan Soto assured that the Dominican Republic Baseball Team made their level clear during the tournament.
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The Dominican team lost 2-1 to the United States Baseball Team in a close match played at loanDepot Park in Miami, a game that ended with a controversial decision by the home plate umpire in the last at-bat of the game. Hours after the game, the Dominican players left the clubhouse with an atmosphere of camaraderie, music, and the conviction that the team showed its true potential throughout the championship. "We showed the world who is the best baseball team," said Soto after the match, highlighting the collective performance of the Dominican team. The end of the game generated controversy after the umpire called a strike on a full count to shortstop Geraldo Perdomo against American closer Mason Miller, on a pitch that several considered outside the strike zone. Perdomo did not hide his frustration after the outcome of the game. "I knew 100% that it was a ball," said the Dominican infielder, who worked a seven-pitch at-bat before the umpire's decision ended the game. The match had been an intense duel between two of the most talented teams in the tournament. The Dominican Republic took an early lead with a home run by third baseman Junior Caminero against American starter Paul Skenes, also setting a new home run record for a team in an edition of the Classic. The United States responded with home runs from Gunnar Henderson and Roman Anthony, before the American relief managed to contain the Dominican offensive in the final innings. Despite the result, the performance of the Quisqueyan team generated great enthusiasm among the fans present in the stadium, where more than 36 thousand spectators witnessed one of the most intense matches of the tournament. From the team management, Nelson Cruz also valued the impact of the event on the growth of international baseball, highlighting the high competitive level and the passion that the Classic awakens among players and fans.
