The Dominican Republic wasted opportunities, but they defeated Italy 5-4 in a come from behind victory against an Italian squad that came roaring early on. Thanks to Robinson Cano, Jose Reyes and Nelson Cruz, the Dominicans were able to rally back and defeat Italy in the second round of the World Baseball Classic.
Jose Reyes ignited a comeback in the bottom of the seventh. He finished the game 2-5 with two runs scored and an RBI. Reyes got the Dominicans on the board first with a solo shot in the third inning. The Dominicans wouldn't score again until the sixth inning when Robinson Cano hit a solo shot to right-center making it a two-run game.
The Italians were shutdown on offense and the Dominicans took charge of the momentum. Reyes and Erick Aybar got on base in the seventh inning to lead the Dominican offense. Hanley Ramirez tied the game with a sacrifice fly after Edwin Encarnacion walked with the bases loaded to make it a one-run ball game.
Cruz stepped up to the plate with runners on first and third and lined a broken-bat single to right field plating Cano who scored his second run of the game.
With the win, the Dominican Republic remains undefeated in the World Baseball Classic as they have won all four of their games. They continue to prove that they are a force after completing a comeback as they crawled out of a 0-4 hole right from the beginning of the game.
Edison Volquez, who took the mound in the start, struggled early on and walked the bases loaded. After a sacrifice fly by Alex Liddi, Chris Colabello smacked an opposite field home run to give the Italians a 4-0 lead. It was the most runs the Dominicans had surrendered to a team in a game, but, as Volquez stepped out, the Dominican bullpen stepped in and closed the door on the Italians the remainder of the game.
Guess who's celebrating in Baltimore?
The Orioles.
Pedro Strop won his second WBC game after pitching scoreless seventh inning, right before the Dominicans rallied back to win the game.
Cano, Cruz and Reyes finished the day 7-13 with three RBI and four runs scored. Now that's what you call a team effort.
The Dominican Republic awaits as the U.S. and Puerto Rico play. The Dominicans will face the loser, while the Italians will face the winner of that matchup set to take place Tuesday evening at 8 p.m. ET
