Dominican Republic Venezuela and PR Reach WBC Quarters

Dominican Republic Demolish Israel to Clinch Quarterfinal Spot

Fernando Tatis Jr. produced a dominant individual performance at loanDepot Park in Miami, hitting a grand slam and driving in six runs as the Dominican Republic crushed Israel 10-1 to clinch a spot in the World Baseball Classic quarterfinals. Tatis homered in the second inning on a 78.5 mph changeup from Ryan Prager — admiring the shot as it cleared the left-field wall — before adding a two-run single in the seventh. His six RBIs on the night matched Adrián González's 2009 tournament record for second-most in a single WBC game, one behind Ken Griffey Jr.'s record set in 2006. The Dominicans finished pool play at 3-0 atop Group D alongside Venezuela, also 3-0. Brayan Bello threw five shutout innings, allowing only a solo home run to Spencer Horwitz. Oneil Cruz added a 115.9 mph solo homer in the fourth.

Puerto Rico and Edwin Díaz Excel

In San Juan, Puerto Rico clinched their quarterfinal berth with a 4-1 victory over Cuba before a passionate home crowd. Martín Maldonado, the veteran catcher who announced his retirement last autumn after 15 years and seven MLB teams — including a Gold Glove with the Angels in 2017 and the 2022 World Series with the Astros — drove in three runs with a decisive double in the second inning. Yankees prospect Elmer Rodríguez threw three shutout innings, and Mets-turned-Dodgers closer Edwin Díaz struck out two in the ninth for the save. Puerto Rico finished pool play at 3-0.

Venezuela Remains Perfect; South Korea Advances in Drama

Ronald Acuña Jr. homered and drove in two runs as Venezuela defeated Nicaragua 4-0 to remain unbeaten. In Tokyo, South Korea advanced via tiebreaker after defeating Australia 7-2, requiring a five-run margin to qualify — which they achieved on a Hyun Min Ahn sacrifice fly in the ninth amid a throwing error that kept the inning alive. Bo Gyeong Moon finished with 11 tournament RBIs. Japan (3-0) closed group play on Tuesday against Czechia.