Miami, Florida – Julio Rodriguez led the way, knocking in three to help the Dominican Republic crush Nicaragua 12-3 in their 2026 WBC Pool D debut. The contest saw some initial back and forth before the Dominicans pulled away late, showing off their potent lineup in front of a sell-out crowd of 35,127. Ronald Medrano was on the mound for the Nicaraguans, while Cristopher Sanchez got the nod for DR. Both ran into some early trouble and didn’t get past the third.
Juliooooooo 😮💨
Julio Rodríguez ties the game for Team Dominican Republic! pic.twitter.com/aJPuhmnCdk
— World Baseball Classic (@WBCBaseball) March 7, 2026
Nicaragua started strong, stringing together back-to-back singles from Benjamin Alegria and Ismael Munguia, pushing Chase Dawson across the plate after he struck out swinging, reaching first base safely on a wild pitch. The lead was short-lived as the Dominican Republic put up two on their first trip to the plate. Ketel Marte recorded an RBI double and then scored on Vladimir Guerrero Jr’s grounder. Nicaragua struck back courtesy of former Miami Hurricane Freddy Zamora doubling to left field, scoring Cristhian Sandoval to tie it 2-2 in the second frame. They retook the lead when Juan Soto committed a fielding error on Dawson’s single, allowing Zamora to score.
UM's own Freddy Zamora doubles on a line drive to left field, scoring Cristhian Sandoval, tying it for Nicaragua.#GoCanes || #WorldBaseballClassic || @CanesBaseball pic.twitter.com/t2qytO7KtE
— Gabriel Garcia (@Gabewritesports) March 7, 2026
Trailing early in the third, Rodriguez singled on a ground ball to center field, plating Soto to knot it up again. He finished the day going 3-for-5. The two sides settled into a stalemate until Junior Caminero blasted the contest’s first home run of the evening during the sixth inning, going deep to center field to give the Dominican Republic the 5-3 advantage. Plátano Power came back for more in the seventh. Soto’s single loaded the bases for Guerrero, who tacked on another run via a sacrifice fly.
Manny Machado walked to load ’em again, but Nicaragua escaped with minimal damage done when Caminero grounded into an inning-ending double play. Caminero would finish 2-for-4, including two RBIs. The eighth would see the Dominicans dominate, however, homering twice to make it 10-3. Rodríguez blasted a solo shot towards left-center, followed shortly by pinch-hitter Oneil Cruz’s three-run dinger over the right field fence. Guerrero’s two-bagger RBI and Rodríguez’s run-inducing hit capped off the six-run effort. Although he only recorded one hit, Guerrero knocked in three at various points. Munguia and Sandoval were the only players on the Nicaraguan side to record a multi-hit game. Mark Vientos, the only hitter from Nicaragua’s roster to hit in MLB last season, went hitless. Managua’s best face the Netherlands next, while the Dominicans rest on Saturday. The Dutch lost to Venezuela 6-2 in Pool D’s first game as the Israelis had the day off.
No, this is not a replay 😮
Manny Machado did this TWICE IN A ROW! pic.twitter.com/Y0ch4LWf6H
— World Baseball Classic (@WBCBaseball) March 7, 2026
Impressions
Oh my. This ball is LONG GONE 😤
A second-deck three-run shot for Oneil Cruz! pic.twitter.com/0GQf8Ind59
— World Baseball Classic (@WBCBaseball) March 7, 2026
Coach Albert Pujols’ dream team was a bit slow; however, they ultimately showed why they are heavyweights. Dusty Baker’s team will have a chance to bounce back tomorrow in a crucial game. The loser of Saturday afternoon’s matchup is all but out of the tournament. Tonight’s result reinforced that the Dominican Republic and Venezuela are the teams to beat in the group. Wednesday’s battle will likely decide who wins Pool D. Nicaragua made its WBC debut in 2023 and has yet to record its first win. They can tomorrow. Otherwise, Israel is their last viable shot.
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