Dominican Republic Crushes Israel, Advances to WBC Quarterfinals

Fernando Tatis Jr. hits historic grand slam to power Dominican victory

Published on Mar. 10, 2026

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The Dominican Republic defeated Israel 10-1 in the 2026 World Baseball Classic, highlighted by a grand slam from Fernando Tatis Jr. The win secured the Dominican team's spot in the quarterfinals of the tournament.

Why it matters

The Dominican Republic is considered one of the favorites to win the 2026 World Baseball Classic, and this dominant performance against Israel further establishes them as a top contender. Tatis Jr.'s grand slam was a historic moment, as it marked the first time a Dominican player has hit a grand slam in WBC history.

The details

The Dominican Republic jumped out to an early 5-0 lead in the second inning, sparked by Tatis Jr.'s towering 400-foot grand slam off Israeli starter Ryan Prager. The Dominican lineup continued to pour it on, with Oneil Cruz adding a solo home run and Jose Ramirez and Luis Gonzalez also contributing late runs. On the mound, Brayan Bello was dominant, allowing just one hit and one run over five innings while striking out seven.

  • The game took place on Monday, March 9, 2026 at loanDepot Park in Miami.
  • The Dominican Republic has now won all three of its games in Pool D of the 2026 World Baseball Classic.

The players

Fernando Tatis Jr.

A star shortstop for the Dominican Republic national team who hit a historic grand slam in the game.

Brayan Bello

The Dominican Republic starting pitcher who dominated Israel's lineup, allowing just one hit and one run over five innings.

Albert Pujols

The manager of the Dominican Republic national team, guiding them to a perfect 3-0 record in pool play.

Ryan Prager

The starting pitcher for Israel who was unable to contain the powerful Dominican lineup.

Spencer Horwitz

The Israeli player who hit the team's lone run of the game with a solo home run.

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What’s next

The Dominican Republic will face Venezuela on Wednesday to determine the winner of Pool D. The winner of that matchup will face South Korea in the quarterfinals, while the runner-up will take on Japan.

The takeaway

The Dominican Republic has established itself as one of the teams to beat in the 2026 World Baseball Classic, dominating its opponents with a powerful lineup and strong pitching. Fernando Tatis Jr.'s historic grand slam was the highlight of their latest victory, further cementing the team's status as a tournament favorite.