New Headline: Hot Weather Hits Hard for Padres, Promotes D.R. to Olympic Gold in Texas Heat
Mar 15, 2026; Miami, FL, United States; United States pitcher Mason Miller (19) and United States catcher Will Smith (16) celebrate after defeating the Dominican Republic in a semifinal game of the 2026 World Baseball Classic at loanDepot Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images On what was a controversial third strike call to Geraldo Perdomo to conclude a thrilling WBC semifinal game on Sunday night, Padres closer Mason Miller punched Team USA's ticket to the Classic's title game slated for Tuesday at Daikin Park in Houston. The Red, White, and Blue faced off against the Dominican Republic in what was a thrilling, Goliath vs.
Goliath match-up that saw 2025 National League Cy Young Award winner Paul Skenes take on a fierce D. R. lineup that included San Diego stars Manny Machado and Fernando Tatis Jr.
The Dominican's jumped out to a quick and early 1-0 lead on a Junior Caminero solo shot off of Skenes in the second inning. That lead would be short-lived though, as young phenoms Gunnar Henderson and Roman Anthony launched home runs in the fourth to give the US all the runs they'd need to pull off the triumph in-front of a capacity crowd at loanDepot Park However, it was the last pitch of the contest that had people abuzz, as Miller's 3-2 slider to Perdomo, who batted with the tying run at first base and the ever-so dangerous Tatis Jr. waiting on-deck, was rung up by home plate umpire Cory Blaser after the pitch appeared to be well below the strike zone.
MASON MILLER WINS THE BATTLE TEAM USA WINS THE GAME! #WorldBaseballClassic pic. twitter.
com/IJCG9vjv5r ā World Baseball Classic (@WBCBaseball) March 16, 2026 "I knew 100% it was a ball," Perdomo said postgame. "I knew it. " "It's part of the game," Dominican Republic GM Nelson Cruz stated.