Controversial strike three gives Team USA win at World Baseball Classic, social media erupts

Team USA was capable to narrowly decision the Dominican Republic, 2-1, connected Sunday nighttime to beforehand to the World Baseball Classic (WBC) final.

But the last at-bat came nether occurrence arsenic U.S. person Mason Miller got Dominican Republic shortstop Geraldo Perdomo to onslaught retired looking. Juan Soto besides struck retired looking connected a akin transportation from David Bednar successful the eighth inning. The Soto strikeout ended the Dominican Republic’s chances of tying the game, portion Perdomo’s strikeout ended the game.

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Dominican Republic Geraldo Perdomo reacts aft striking retired astatine the extremity of the ninth inning of a World Baseball Classic semifinal crippled against the United States, Sunday, March 15, 2026, successful Miami. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

The telephone sparked a statement connected societal media.

FOX Sports broadcasters Alex Rodriguez, David Ortiz and Derek Jeter besides weighed in.

"A shot that’s astir 4 inches down, excessively adjacent take. But this is Cory Blaser’s blistery portion and it’s down. Sure enough, helium lived (up) to his scouting report," Rodriguez said. "You conscionable hatred to extremity a crippled this big, with these types of consequences connected a transportation that’s not a strike."

Dominican Republic Juan Soto strikes retired during the eighth inning of a World Baseball Classic semifinal crippled against the United States, Sunday, March 15, 2026, successful Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

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Ortiz said if the umpire was calling 100 mph pitches up successful the portion strikes, past the transportation from Miller debased successful the portion couldn’t person been a strike.

"I’m beauteous definite they’re going to person the situation strategy successful spot for the adjacent WBC," Jeter said. "You hatred to extremity a crippled that way. But you springiness recognition to the U.S. They not lone pitched well, they deed 2 location runs. They played large defence – whether it was Aaron (Judge) with the propulsion to 3rd base, Bobhy Witt with the plays that helium made – saved a tally aboriginal connected by knocking a shot down arsenic well. Great pitching, large defense, U.S. deserves to spell to the final."

United States pitcher Mason Miller and catcher Will Smith observe astatine the extremity of the ninth inning during a World Baseball Classic semifinal crippled against the Dominican Republic, Sunday, March 15, 2026, successful Miami. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

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Team USA volition await the victor of Venezuela and Italy.

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