Dominican Republic Crushes South Korea 10-0

The Dominican Republic delivered a dominant performance in the quarterfinals of the 2026 World Baseball Classic, mercy-ruling South Korea 10-0 in just seven innings on March 13 at LoanDepot Park to secure a spot in the semifinals.

Cristopher Sánchez pitched five shutout innings, allowing only two hits while striking out six, setting the tone for a one-sided victory. The Dominican lineup exploded for three runs in the second inning and four more in the third, building an insurmountable lead early. Aggressive baserunning, timely hitting and power from stars like Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Junior Caminero and Fernando Tatis Jr. overwhelmed Korean starter Hyun-Jin Ryu, who lasted just 1.2 innings and surrendered three runs.

The game ended dramatically in the bottom of the seventh when pinch-hitter Austin Wells crushed a three-run walk-off home run off reliever So Hyeong-jun, triggering the WBC’s mercy rule with the score reaching 10 runs. Wells, who started on the bench, delivered the decisive blow to send the Dominicans to the semifinals with a perfect 5-0 tournament record so far.

The Dominican Republic advances to face the United States on Sunday, March 15, in the first semifinal at loanDepot Park. The U.S. earned its berth Friday night with a 5-3 win over Canada in Houston.

South Korea, which finished second in Pool C with a 2-2 record, managed only two hits against Sánchez and the Dominican bullpen. Ryu, the veteran left-hander making his WBC return, struggled with command and was pulled after allowing three runs on three hits and two walks. Korean relievers kept the game scoreless for a stretch, but the offense could not generate any threat against the powerful Dominican pitching.

The Dominicans showcased their depth and firepower throughout. In the second inning, Junior Caminero doubled home Vladimir Guerrero Jr. for the first run, followed by Julio Rodríguez’s RBI groundout and a Tatis Jr. single to make it 3-0. The third inning saw more damage: a bases-loaded walk, an RBI single by Manny Machado and additional runs on aggressive plays to push the lead to 7-0.

Sánchez, the Philadelphia Phillies lefty, was masterful in his start, mixing fastballs and off-speed pitches to keep Korean hitters off balance. The bullpen closed it out efficiently, allowing no runs over the final two frames.

Attendance reached 30,805 at loanDepot Park, with a lively crowd cheering the high-energy Dominican squad. The victory underscored the team’s status as a tournament favorite, having topped Pool D with strong performances and now carrying momentum into the knockout rounds.

For South Korea, the loss marked a disappointing end to a campaign that saw them reach the quarterfinals for the first time since 2017. The team relied on strong pitching in pool play but could not match the Dominican offensive barrage or contain their stars.

The mercy rule shortened the game, allowing the Dominicans to conserve arms ahead of the semifinal against the U.S., a rematch of the 2017 final won by the Americans. The Dominican Republic has not won the WBC since 2013 but has consistently been a powerhouse, boasting MLB talent across the roster.

Postgame, Dominican manager offered praise for Sánchez’s outing and the team’s execution. “We came ready to play every pitch,” he said. “This team has heart and talent — we’re not done yet.”

The win advances the Dominicans to Sunday’s semifinal at 8 p.m. ET on FS1, where they will face a U.S. team that survived a late rally from Canada. The winner will play in the March 17 championship at the same venue.

As the tournament progresses, the Dominican Republic’s blend of power hitting, solid pitching and clutch play positions them as strong contenders for the title. For South Korea, the focus shifts to future preparations, with the loss highlighting areas for improvement against elite international competition.

The 2026 WBC continues with Saturday’s quarterfinals: Puerto Rico vs. Italy at 3 p.m. ET on FS1 in Houston, and Venezuela vs. Japan at 9 p.m. ET on FOX in Miami.