USA Takes 2023 World Series Lead
United States players celebrate after completing a 2-1 victory over Dominican Republic that lifted the Americans into the final of the World Baseball Classic (Megan Briggs) Gunnar Henderson and Roman Anthony smashed solo home runs and the United States edged the Dominican Republic 2-1 on Sunday to reach the World Baseball Classic final. Both blasts came in the fourth inning and provided all the scoring the Americans needed as starter Paul Skenes and five relief pitchers baffled the big-hitting Dominican lineup. "Just put an emphasis on getting in early, being ready to hit," Anthony said of his decisive homer.
"It was about going out there and getting a good pitch to hit. When I hit it, I kind of just blacked out. In my head was just, 'Please go.
'" The Americans advanced to Tuesday's championship match, where they will face Monday's semi-final winner between unbeaten Italy and upstart Venezuela, which dethroned defending champion Japan in the quarter-finals. "Just continue to be relentless, continue to do what we've been doing so well," Anthony said of the US strategy for the final. It will be a third consecutive Classic final for the United States, which won the 2017 crown before losing the 2023 final to Japan.
Right-hander Skenes scattered six hits and struck out two while allowing only one run over 4 1/3 innings. Relievers struck out six with only one walk while allowing only two hits. "It wasn't the prettiest or cleanest game I've ever pitched," Skenes said.
"It's unbelievable. Coming into the game, just wanted to put up as many zeroes as possible and put us in a position to win. Everybody else did their job.