USA Secures Domin Rep Title With Staggering Game-Winning Foul Ball, Advances to WCBC Finals

Dominican Republic shortstop Geraldo Perdomo (C) reacts to striking out as United States catcher Will Smith (L) celebrates winning a World Baseball Classic semifinal Sunday at IoanDepot Park in Miami. Photo by Michael Laughlin/UPI March 16 (UPI) -- Baseball's best fought pitch-by-pitch, with Team USA narrowly outlasting the Dominican Republic to reach the 2026 World Baseball Classic finale Sunday night in Miami. But what many remember most will be the final pitch: Mason Miller's slider to shortstop Geraldo Perdomo that was ruled strike three, but should have been called ball four and extended the instant classic.

Instead, a perplexed Perdomo walked back to his dugout, while Miller celebrated the 2-1 triumph at loanDepot park. "There was just so much talent on the field, both sides," Team USA manager Mark DeRosa told reporters. "You knew it was going to come down to one swing of the bat.

" Had Miller's slider, which was shown below the strike zone box shown on the FS1 broadcast and on MLB's Gameday tracker , which is powered by Hawk-Eye cameras, been ruled a ball, Perdomo would have taken a walk and put runners on first and third base for the Dominicans. A ball call also would have brought star right fielder Fernando Tatis Jr. to the plate with a chance to tie or win the game.

But, as Dominican Republic manager Albert Pujols said, it wasn't "meant to be. " United States third baseman Gunnar Henderson reacts to hitting a home run during the fourth inning against the Dominican Republic in a World Baseball Classic semifinal Sunday at loanDepot Park in Miami. Photo by Michael Laughlin/UPI Miller escaped the inning unscathed, allowing no hits or runs while issuing two strikeouts and a walk to secure his second save of the tournament.