Austin Wells called game for the Dominican Republic on Friday.
In the seventh inning of a quarterfinal matchup against Korea, the Yankees backstop blasted a three-run homer down the right field line, putting the D.R. up 10-0 and thus enacting the tournament’s 10-run mercy rule.
With Friday’s win, the D.R. advances to the semifinals, making its first appearance there since 2013, where it wound up winning its first and only WBC championship.
The game was lopsided from the start, with the D.R. quickly notching seven runs across the second and third innings.
They were also to keep Korea’s hitters at bay, giving up just two hits and a walk through the seven-inning game.
Phillies southpaw Cristopher Sanchez started the game for the Dominican Republic, striking out eight through five innings of work.
Albert Abreu finished the game, throwing two perfect innings while striking out three.
Wells’ blast gave the D.R. its 14th home run of the tournament, tying a WBC record previously held by Mexico from the 2009 competition.
Manager Albert Pujols said that this year’s team has unmatched energy, and it’s something unique to the culture of the country.
“I just don’t think you can,” Pujols said Friday when asked how the energy could be replicated in the MLB, according to The Athletic. “That’s in our blood, that’s in our DNA. That’s how we play baseball.
“That responsibility that we have wearing this jersey, especially representing our country — the culture, the attitude, the way the guys go about it — I mean, you’re born with that, and sometimes, you know, that’s even harder to teach.”
Outfielder Julio Rodriguez has also opened up on his country pride, saying that winning for the Dominican Republic would mean more to him than taking home a World Series title with the Mariners.
“I love the Mariners,” Rodriguez said, according to Foul Territory. “They know I give my best for them every single time I step on the field, but winning the World Baseball Classic is at the top of the list.”
“This is for my country, this is for my town, this is for the people in my neighborhood,” he added. “It’s for everybody in the Dominican Republic.”
The Dominican Republic is slated to face the winner of the Team USA-Canada quarterfinal on Sunday.
