Facing a 5-0 deficit, the Dominican Republic proved why it’s the defending champion of the World Baseball Classic, and why it is the favorite to win it again.
Nelson Cruz’s three-run home run in the eighth put the Dominicans ahead for the first time in the game, and Starling Marte’s solo shot later in the inning added insurance in the Dominican Republic’s stunning 7-5 win over Team USA Saturday in Miami.
The US held a five-run lead through 5 1⁄2 innings, but when the game became a battle of the bullpens, the Dominican Republic took over.