World Baseball Classic Day 7: USA, DR Clinch, Venezuela Pushed to Tiebreaker Game with Italy
By Keaton Moore
Colombia Puts the Dominican on Edge, but Come up Short
Team Colombia nearly turned an upset against the highly-favored Dominican Republic, but ultimately lost 10-3 in an extra inning blowout. The extra-inning rule, which puts runners on first and second automatically in the eleventh inning and beyond, worked in favor for the Dominicans as they clinched a spot to the second round.
As the Dominican Republic took a 3-1 lead with two runs in the third, Colombia’s run in the first proved the only they scored off Wily Peralta. Though four innings, Peralta held the Colombians to two hits, one walk and one run with six strikeouts.
However, in his record-breaking 14 WBC pitching appearance, Fernando Rodney allowed a home run to Jorge Alfaro that tied the game in the eighth inning. A double play, which ended the ninth inning with a tag-out at home, sent the game into extra innings.
When the game stretched into the eleventh inning, the Dominican Republic scored seventh runs to put their lead well out of reach from the Colombians. Although they too started the eleventh inning with two runners on, the Colombians were held hitless by Jeurys Familia, who slammed the door with two strikeouts and a forceout.
Following their loss, Colombia stood helpless as their longshot of reaching the second round slipped away as Team USA beat Canada.