Check out the live stream available for the Dominican Republic versus Puerto Rico as both nations set off to battle the winner of Pool 2 at the World Baseball Classic. Both teams are automatically in the tournament's semifinals, but the outcome decides who each team faces in the following round in San Francisco where the championship will be played.
The Dominican Republic will have Wandy Rodriguez on the mound and this guy controlled Puerto Rico in the first round of the tournament. He didn't get the win, but Rodriguez went 3.1 innings giving up three hits, one walk and one earned run while striking out two. The run he gave up came on a Mike Aviles two-run home run surrendered by Lorenzo Barcelo, who ultimately got the win.
Orlando Roman the mound once again against the Dominican Republic. He was Rodriguez's opposition when the two countries met and he too had a solid outing going 3.2 innings, giving up five hits, one walk, one earned run and striking out two. The rest of the bullpen was solid, but they ultimately gave up the lead as the Dominicans scored a run in the fifth, sixth and seventh innings to take the lead, one they would not relinquish.
The Dominican Republic is enjoying, by far, their best World Baseball Classic performance. They came together for this tournament after being humiliated by the Netherlands in the 2009 WBC's first round. They lost twice to this team in 2009, which they can possible face in the semifinals or finals. This year, they are looking completely different. They are having fun, celebrating and playing like a unit.
Robinson Cano is supplying the bat, while the Dominican's pitching staff is posting the best ERA from the four teams remaining. Their ERA as a team is 2.60 followed by today's challengers, Puerto Rico who have a 3.17 ERA.
Click here for to watch Dominican Republic vs. Puerto Rico. If you can't watch the game, check out the live scoring updates brought to you by MLB Gameday.
