The Dominican Republic’s baseball juggernaut has made yet another thunderous statement at the 2026 World Baseball Classic (WBC), overwhelming the Netherlands 12-1 in a seven-inning cold game on March 9 at LoanDepot Park in Miami, Florida. With this dominant display, the Dominicans notched their second consecutive win in Group D, all but sealing their spot in the quarterfinals and sending a clear message to rivals across the globe.
This wasn’t just another win—it was a showcase of Major League Baseball (MLB) firepower. The Dominican lineup, brimming with MLB stars, delivered four home runs that left the Dutch pitching staff reeling. Juan Soto, the New York Mets’ superstar and six-time Silver Slugger, provided the final exclamation point: a walk-off two-run homer in the bottom of the seventh that invoked the WBC’s cold game rule, which ends a contest if a team leads by at least 10 runs after the seventh inning.
“The manager wanted to substitute me, but I asked to stay in the batter’s box,” Soto told MLB.com after the game. “I wanted to help the bullpen. As soon as I hit the home run, I pointed to the dugout as I rounded the bases.” His confidence and drive were on full display, and the Dominican bench erupted as Soto’s shot cleared the right-center fence, sealing the 12-1 victory and sending fans into a frenzy.
The Dominican offense wasted no time asserting itself. Fernando Tatis Jr. and Ketel Marte drew consecutive walks to start the first inning, and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. delivered a run-scoring single to put the Dominicans on the board. Manny Machado’s groundout plated another run, giving the favorites an early 2-0 lead. The Netherlands briefly answered in the top of the second with a solo home run from Didi Gregorius, their only offensive highlight of the night.
But the Dominican bats were just getting started. Guerrero Jr. struck again in the third, launching a two-run homer to left and stretching the lead to 4-1. By the fifth inning, the outcome was all but decided. Junior Camero—serving as the designated hitter—blasted a three-run shot, and Austin Wells followed with a two-run homer of his own. Marte added a sacrifice fly, capping a six-run frame that put the Dominicans up 10-1.
The lineup’s depth was on full display. Alongside Soto, Guerrero Jr., Camero, and Wells, the starting nine featured Tatis Jr., Marte, Machado, Julio Rodriguez, and Eric Gonzalez—each a threat in his own right. The Dominican team’s collective might was praised by Netherlands manager Andruw Jones, who remarked, “I’ve seen many great lineups, but to see such a powerful batting order at the WBC is truly impressive. The Dominican Republic is an extremely strong team.”
On the mound, Luis Severino delivered a solid start, pitching four innings while allowing just three hits and one run, striking out five. The bullpen held the Dutch lineup in check, ensuring there would be no late drama. The only blemish was Gregorius’ second-inning homer—otherwise, the Netherlands were kept off balance and off the bases.
Dominican manager and legendary slugger Albert Pujols was effusive in his praise for the entire roster. “Whether we win by one run or by a cold game, what matters is the victory,” Pujols said. “Our offense is strong, the bullpen is excellent, and our starting pitching is solid. Every player deserves credit. The motivation in this group is outstanding.”
The Dominican Republic’s 2-0 start in Group D comes on the heels of a 12-3 rout of Nicaragua in their opening game. With Venezuela, Israel, and the Netherlands rounding out the group, the Dominicans have established themselves as clear favorites to advance as the top seed. Their likely quarterfinal opponent? South Korea, who clinched second place in Group C after a dramatic 7-2 win over Australia in Tokyo.
Elsewhere in the WBC, the action has been just as fierce. Group B saw Mexico pummel Brazil 16-0 in a six-inning cold game, with the Mexican offense racking up 16 hits—including four home runs. Italy joined Mexico and the USA atop the group, each boasting two wins, after defeating Great Britain 7-4. The USA, for its part, is set to face Mexico next, with ace Paul Skeens scheduled to start—a matchup that’s sure to draw eyes worldwide.
In Group A, Cuba continued its resurgence, beating Colombia 7-4 for a second straight win and sharing the group lead with Puerto Rico. Panama, after two early losses, earned its first victory by edging Canada 4-3 in a rain-delayed contest. Israel, also in Group D, bounced back from an opening defeat to blank Nicaragua 5-0, keeping their quarterfinal hopes alive.
The Dominican Republic’s success isn’t just about power hitting. The roster’s versatility and depth are unmatched in the tournament, with stars like Tatis Jr., Marte, Machado, Rodriguez, and Gonzalez contributing both offensively and defensively. Junior Camero, who homered and drove in three runs, joked after the game, “This team is full of star players, so I’m happy to do whatever is needed—even if it’s just handling the water bottles. I’m confident. We had a great result today, and I hope we keep it going.”
The Netherlands, meanwhile, have stumbled to an 0-2 record in Group D, following an earlier loss to Venezuela. Their lone bright spot against the Dominican powerhouse was Gregorius’ solo shot, but otherwise, they struggled to keep pace with the relentless Dominican attack.
As the WBC heads toward the quarterfinals, all eyes are on Miami, where the Dominican Republic looks poised to continue its march toward the championship. With a roster stacked with MLB talent, a red-hot offense, and a manager who knows what it takes to win, this team is the one to watch. The quarterfinals begin March 14, and if the Dominicans keep swinging the way they have, they just might be lifting the trophy at the end.
For now, the Dominican Republic stands atop Group D, their bats blazing and their confidence soaring. The world is watching, and this team is hungry for more.