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The United States and the Dominican Republic delivered a thriller of a semifinal matchup in the World Baseball Classic, as the U.S. won a 2-1 pitcher's duel.
With just one run separating the two, defense was crucial for both sides to keep each offense at bay. As a result, there were a handful of tremendous plays in the field, which could have swung the game with a different result.
There were only three runs scored in this game, all coming in the form of solo home runs, so the United States defense ended up being a huge difference maker. Here's a look at the five best defensive plays from the WBC semifinals.
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Ranking best plays from USA-Dominican Republic game
5. Bobby Witt Jr. does it himself for the double play
This play wasn't exactly a stunner, but it was a crucial point in the game that came back to bite the Dominican Republic. After chasing Paul Skenes from the game, the D.R. had men on first and second with one out, and Juan Soto at the plate.
Tyler Rogers came into the game for the United States and got Soto to hit a ground ball to Witt, who touched second and threw to first for the double play.
TYLER ROGERS GETS THE DOUBLE PLAY TO END THE THREAT! pic.twitter.com/aaZlBx07C1
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) March 16, 2026Looking back after the game ended, this may have been the moment that the Dominican Republic regrets the most. The D.R. had two men on, Soto and Vladimir Guerrero Jr., coming up and Skenes out of the game, but one Soto ground ended any chance in the inning.
4. Brice Turang stifles Juan Soto in the first
Brice Turang's diving stop to rob Soto of a hit in the first inning got lost in the shuffle, but it was an impressive play. The 2024 gold-glover ranged to his left to prevent Soto from getting on base in the first frame, a sign of things to come for the United States.
This play wasn't huge in the grand scheme of things, but it set the tone of the night for a tremendous game.
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) March 16, 2026Turang is known for his defense, which is why he has started games over Alex Bregman, Gunnar Henderson or Ernie Clement at times in this tournament. Of all his impressive plays in the WBC, this was his best.
3. Bobby Witt Jr. makes diving play to get Manny Machado
Witt's second strong play of the night was a much more impressive feat, as he dove into the hole to rob Manny Machado of a base hit. Witt's glove has been one of the standouts this tournament, and this was his best play on Sunday night.
As for the context of the game, the bases were empty, so Witt essentially prevented a potential Dominican Republic rally.
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) March 16, 2026Still, Witt's ability to keep Machado off the bases kept the line moving for the United States pitching. As the Dominican Republic has such a deep lineup, every out was huge on Sunday night.
2. Aaron Judge throws out Fernando Tatis Jr. at third
Aaron Judge's defensive throw to get Fernando Tatis Jr. at third base to end the third inning was one of the highlights of the night. The Dominican Republic appeared to be rallying against Paul Skenes, looking to add to a 1-0 lead, and Judge shut that down immediately.
While Judge has been solid offensively, his defense in the WBC has been stellar. The three-time MVP has made highlight after highlight in right field, and this one may have saved multiple runs with Juan Soto on deck.
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) March 16, 2026This was one of a few times that the Dominican Republic ended up stranding runners on base, allowing the United States to escape from jams. Tatis' decision also may have hurt the team later in the game, when he was more conservative as a runner on a play in which he probably should've been more aggressive.
1. Julio Rodriguez robs Aaron Judge
The best play of the night belongs to Dominican Republic center fielder Julio Rodriguez, who robbed Aaron Judge of a home run in the fifth inning. The United States was already up 2-1, and this would have doubled the lead in a tight pitcher's duel.
What makes this more impressive is that Rodriguez had just gotten medical attention after getting hit in the wrist by a pitch. Judge clearly thought he got all of this one, but Rodriguez correctly judged the ball to rob the slugger of another homer.
JULIO AT THE WALL ARE YOU KIDDING ME!? pic.twitter.com/LSh4ht5mhi
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) March 16, 2026Judge was so confident that his swing would be a homer that he appeared to flip his bat right before Rodriguez caught the ball.
Did Aaron Judge bat flip? pic.twitter.com/78mCkAP6KO
— Just Baseball (@JustBB_Media) March 16, 2026
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