New Headline: Cubs Fall Short at Critical Batting Spot, Dampens Impact of 5-0 Thriller
Juan Soto believes the Dominican Republic was the best team at the 2026 World Baseball Classic.
Team USA and the Dominican Republic engaged in an exciting and tense semifinal in the 2026 World Baseball Classic on Sunday. But an otherwise fantastic game ended in controversy, as Geraldo Perdomo was called out on a controversial strike call for the final out. [ Enter Yahoo Fantasy Bracket Mayhem now for your shot at $50K ] After the contest, Perdomo said he knew the umpire got it wrong , per ESPN.
"I knew 100% it was a ball," Perdomo told ESPN. "I knew it. " The Arizona Diamondbacks shortstop was right.
To that point, Perdomo had turned in an excellent at-bat against Team USA closer Mason Miller, who was trying to hold a one-run lead with two outs in the bottom of the ninth and a man on third base. With the count full, Miller threw a slider hoping to get Perdomo to chase. The shortstop didn’t offer at the pitch, but it didn’t matter.
Home-plate umpire Cory Blaser called Perdomo out on strikes, ending the game and giving Team USA a 2-1 win. The pitch wasn’t close. Yikes pic.