Dominican Republic Remains Undefeated, Defeats Venezuela in World Baseball Classic
MIAMI – The Dominican Republic continued its dominant run through the World Baseball Classic, defeating Venezuela 7-5 on Wednesday at loanDepot park in Miami. The victory secures the Dominican Republic’s top seed in Group D with a perfect 4-0 record, while Venezuela finished second at 3-1. The offensive firepower of the Dominican lineup, highlighted by home runs from Juan Soto, Ketel Marte, and Vladimir Guerrero Jr., proved too much for Venezuela to overcome. This sets up a quarterfinal clash for the Dominican Republic against South Korea, while Venezuela will face the defending champions, Japan.
The game, played before a crowd of 36,230, saw the Dominican Republic jump out to an early lead thanks to a two-run home run by Juan Soto in the first inning. Soto’s blast, a 409-foot shot to center field, set the tone for a game where Dominican power would be on full display. The Dominican Republic ultimately connected for a total of four home runs, a significant factor in their win. This performance adds to a tournament already marked by prodigious power hitting; through March 12th, 2026, a total of 92 home runs had been hit in the Classic, surpassing the previous high of 85 set in both 2023, and 2009.
Venezuela battled throughout the contest, with Maikel García going 4-for-4 at the plate with two runs scored and an RBI. Despite the strong individual performance, the Venezuelan offense couldn’t string together enough hits to consistently challenge the Dominican lead. In the ninth inning, a walk issued to García sparked a brief rally, raising hopes for a dramatic comeback, but ultimately fell short. Venezuela manager Omar López expressed his frustration with the team’s inability to capitalize on opportunities, stating, “Ante una ofensiva como la de Dominicana no puedes cometer errores. Me tocó replantear el juego después de la salida de Antonio Senzatela –quien fue el segundo relevo del abridor Eduardo Rodríguez- y usar el bullpen para mantener el juego cerrado.”
Dominican Republic’s Offensive Onslaught
The Dominican Republic’s offensive explosion wasn’t limited to Soto’s early homer. Ketel Marte and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Also went deep, contributing to a total of seven runs. According to MLB analyst Sarah Langs, this marked only the sixth time in World Baseball Classic history that a team had hit four or more home runs in a single game, and the second time for the Dominican Republic in the 2026 tournament. The Dominican Republic now has 13 home runs in the tournament, equaling Venezuela’s total from 2009 and trailing only Mexico’s 14 from the same year.
Manager Albert Pujols emphasized his team’s preparedness for a high-scoring affair, stating, “Se puso interesante en el noveno, pero al final obtuvimos la victoria.” Pujols also noted that he had his bullpen ready to go, even with a strong performance from starting pitcher Sandy Alcántara, who allowed four hits and three earned runs over three innings.
Venezuela Faces Japan in Quarterfinal Matchup
Venezuela’s loss means they will now face a formidable opponent in the quarterfinals: the defending champion Japan, led by superstar Shohei Ohtani. The game is scheduled for Saturday at 9:00 p.m. At loanDepot park. Venezuela manager Omar López acknowledged the challenge ahead, stating, “Para poder llegar a la final y ser campeón, hay que ganarle a los mejores. Y Si Japón es uno de los mejores y está defendiendo la corana, tenemos que salir a ganar.” López expressed confidence in his team’s ability to compete, despite the daunting task.
Ranger Suárez will take the mound for Venezuela in the quarterfinal game, while Japan will counter with Yoshinobu Yamamoto, the World Series MVP. The pitching matchup sets the stage for a compelling contest between two of the tournament’s top teams. López also revealed that Jesús Luzardo’s availability for the remainder of the tournament is “quite complicated,” adding that a decision on his replacement will be made within the next two hours. Yoendrys Gómez is expected to be replaced, but the identity of his replacement remains uncertain.
Key Player Performances and Tournament Statistics
Salvador Pérez, Venezuela’s captain, struggled at the plate, going 0-for-5 with a strikeout, including a double play that ended the game. His batting average currently stands at .214 (3-for-14), with an OPS of .428. On the other side, Ronald Acuña Jr. Had a strong performance earlier in the tournament against Nicaragua, hitting his first career home run in World Baseball Classic play. Acuña went 3-for-3 with a home run, two runs scored, and two RBIs. He was also credited with a stolen base, becoming only the second Venezuelan player to achieve that feat in the Classic, joining Miguel Cabrera, who accomplished the same in 2013 against Spain.
Jackson Chourio, the youngest player on the Venezuelan team, celebrated his 22nd birthday on Wednesday, surrounded by the elite players of Venezuelan baseball and a crowd of over 30,000 at loanDepot park. The game also drew the largest crowd of the Group D stage, with 36,230 fans in attendance, and lasted three hours and three minutes.
The 2026 World Baseball Classic has already seen a record-breaking number of home runs, with 92 hit through March 12th. This surpasses the previous record of 85 set in both 2023 and 2009, demonstrating the increased offensive power on display in this year’s tournament. The Dominican Republic’s success, fueled by its powerful lineup, positions them as a strong contender for the championship.
As the tournament progresses, all eyes will be on the quarterfinal matchups, particularly the clash between Venezuela and Japan. The outcome of these games will determine which teams advance to the final stages of the competition and have a chance to claim the title of World Baseball Classic champion. The Dominican Republic will look to continue their winning ways against South Korea, aiming to maintain their undefeated record and move closer to the championship.
The next step for Venezuela is preparation for their crucial quarterfinal match against Japan. Fans and analysts alike will be closely watching to observe if they can overcome the challenge and advance further in the tournament. The Dominican Republic, meanwhile, will focus on maintaining their momentum and preparing for a tough test against South Korea.
What are your thoughts on the Dominican Republic’s performance so far? Do you think Venezuela has a chance against Japan? Share your predictions and opinions in the comments below!