The United States and the Dominican Republic, both regarded as "title favorites," will collide in the semifinals for a berth in the final.
On the 14th (all times Korea time), the United States defeated Canada 5-3 in a quarterfinal at Daikin Park in Houston, Texas, in the 2026 World Baseball Classic (WBC).
That day, U.S. starter Logan Webb pitched 4 2/3 innings, allowing four hits with five strikeouts, one walk and no runs. Brad Keller, who later entered the game, allowed two runs in one inning, and Gabe Sphere allowed one run in 1/3 of an inning, but the lineup's five runs preserved the victory.
Starting in right field as the No. 3 hitter, Aaron Judge had one hit, one walk and one run; batting cleanup as the designated hitter, Kyle Schwarber had one hit and one RBI; batting fifth at third base, Alex Bregman had one hit and one RBI; batting eighth at second base, Bryson Turang had two hits and one RBI; and starting in center field as the No. 9 hitter, Pete Crow-Armstrong had two hits and one RBI.
The United States took the lead early and controlled the game. In the first inning, leadoff batter Bobby Witt Jr. drew a walk. Bryce Harper then popped out, but Judge hit a double to create a 1st-and-2nd, one-out opportunity. Schwarber hit an infield grounder, and meanwhile Witt Jr. scored, making it 1-0.
In the third inning, leadoff batter Crow-Armstrong got a hit. Witt Jr. hit an infield grounder that retired the lead runner. Harper also hit an infield grounder that again retired the lead runner. With two outs and a runner on first, Judge drew a walk and Schwarber hit a single to load the bases. Bregman then delivered a two-run RBI single to extend the lead to 3-0.
In the top of the sixth, after one out Roman Anthony singled and Cal Raleigh drew a walk. With one out and runners on first and second, Turang hit an RBI single. With one out and runners on first and third that followed, Crow-Armstrong added an RBI single to make it 5-0.
In the bottom of the sixth, the U.S. bullpen wobbled but held the two-run lead. As a result, the United States will face the Dominican Republic, which beat Korea 10-0 by a seven-inning mercy-rule victory at LoanDepot Park in Miami, Florida.
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