Ties to Pittsburgh Run Deep in Epic WBC Semifinal Between USA, Dominican Republic
From the first pitch in the bottom of the first inning, to the final pitch in the bottom of the ninth, ties to the city of Pittsburgh were everywhere during Sunday’s World Baseball Classic semifinal between the United States and Dominican Republic.
Pirates ace Paul Skenes started for the United States and was tasked with navigating one of the most talented lineups ever assembled to earn a spot in the WBC championship game on Wednesday.
In his second start of the tournament, Skenes did what he was asked to do. The reigning National League Cy Young winner earned the win in USA’s 2-1 nail-biting win over the Dominican Republic after allowing just one run and scattering six hits with a pair of strikeouts and no walks in 4.1 innings.
Skenes improved to 2-0 with a 1.08 ERA while wearing a red, white and blue uniform at this year’s WBC and is a big reason why he and his teammates will face the winner of Italy and Venezuela in the final later this week.
But Skenes wasn’t the only one able to keep a potent Dominican Republic lineup in check. Five relievers — including a pair from Pittsburgh — kept their opponent in check to ensure the United States stayed out in front.
Mars-native and former Pirates reliever David Bednar pitched the seventh inning. Bednar surrendered a one-out double to catcher Austin Wells which was followed by a Geraldo Perdomo single to give the D.R. runners on the corners with one out. The right-hander was able to preserve his team’s one run lead with back-to-back strikeouts against Fernando Tatis Jr. and Ketel Marte, who made up the top of the lineup.
Current San Diego Padres closer and Bethel Park graduate Mason Miller came on for the save in the ninth inning. After striking out Junior Caminero — who homered off Skenes to give his team a 1-0 lead in the second — Miller walked Rodríguez on five pitches. Pirates center fielder Oneil Cruz was used as a pinch hitter to face Miller. A wild pitch allowed Rodríguez to move up to second base and Cruz put the tying run 90 feet away with tow outs on a groundout to short.
But Miller sealed the victory by striking out Perdomo after an extended at-bat and perhaps a gracious strike three call on a low fastball.
Other Pittsburgh-Ties
- New Pirates reliever Gregory Soto took the loss for the Dominican Republic after allowing a go-ahead home run to Roman Anthony in the fourth inning.
- Upper St. Clair graduate Sean Casey is the hitting coach on manager Mark DeRosa’s staff.
- Former Pirates pitcher Clay Holmes is on USA’s roster but did not appear in this game.
- Pirates closer Dennis Santana is on the Dominican Republic’s roster but did not appear in this game.
- Former Pirates infielders Carlos Santana and Erik González also suited up for the D.R. but did not appear in this game.
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