Sports
Dominican Republic frustrated by game-ending call in loss to USA
MIAMI — Two hours after a blown ball-strike call ended the Dominican Republic’s World Baseball Classic, players emerged from the team’s clubhouse with smiles, music and a message.
The smiles covered the pain of the 2-1 loss Sunday night that sent Team USA to the WBC final, the music followed them as they walked down the hall at LoanDepot Park and to the team bus, and the message came from star Juan Soto, who preferred to look at the whole of the tournament rather than its final game.
“We showed the world who’s the best team in baseball,” Soto told ESPN. “That’s all I got to say.”
Soto’s frustration, as well as his teammates’, was palpable after home-plate umpire Cory Blaser called a full-count slider from U.S. closer Mason Miller for a strike against D.R. shortstop Geraldo Perdomo despite the pitch being clearly below the zone. The call came one inning after Soto was caught looking on a slider that was also below the zone, though not to the extent of Perdomo, who had worked a brilliant seven-pitch at-bat before the eighth ended the Dominicans’ dreams of bringing home a WBC championship.
“I knew 100% it was a ball,” Perdomo told ESPN. “I knew it.”
While the Americans celebrated what otherwise was a taut, tense and elite display of baseball between the two most talented countries in the world, the ending left a sour taste for Dominicans to whom the WBC is of Olympic-level importance. Even more frustrating was that the automated ball-strike challenge system — which will debut in Major League Baseball this season to address such blown calls — is not being used in the WBC.
In 2023, the year the pitch clock was introduced in MLB, the WBC did not implement it, either. For ABS to work accurately in MLB this season, the league took measurements of each player’s height to assign a proper strike zone. Doing so for the WBC would have necessitated measurements for players from all 20 countries in the tournament as well as the implementation of the system used to call it in Japan and Puerto Rico.
“It’s part of the game,” Dominican Republic general manager Nelson Cruz told ESPN. “You lost by inches. We’ll have ABS in a few years, so hopefully next time we can challenge plays like that.
“This event is really good for baseball. You have regular fans that love the game — and you have people who don’t pay attention and you’re attracting them.”
The attention has been significant, particularly on a Dominican team teeming with stars and even more with energy and excitement. The D.R. broke the WBC record for home runs in one tournament when Junior Caminero took U.S. ace Paul Skenes deep for a 1-0 lead. The U.S. clawed back with home runs from Gunnar Henderson and Roman Anthony. And the game turned over to the bullpens, with Team USA’s power relief pitching shutting down a Dominican team that had dominated through pool play and a quarterfinal win.
The crowd of 36,337, strongly pro-Dominican, booed the blown third-strike call on Soto and caterwauled at the one against Perdomo, with him telling Blaser — who otherwise called a consistent and strong game behind home plate — that the umpire knew it was a ball.
“It was a lot,” said Perdomo, who had taken a slider similar to the blown call for a ball earlier in the count and also fouled off consecutive 101 mph two-strike pitches to stay alive. “It was the whole tournament, but we didn’t lose the game right there. That’s a part of the game, and I hope we do better next time.”
Next time could come in the Olympics, if Major League Baseball and the players can strike a deal to allow big leaguers to play in the Los Angeles Games in 2028. The next WBC has not been scheduled, but the success has delighted players and MLB officials.
Team USA will face the winner of Monday’s semifinal between Italy and Venezuela in Tuesday’s WBC final.
Liverpool are considering Newcastle United‘s Anthony Gordon as an upgrade on Cody Gakpo, while Roma‘s defender Wesley França is a target for Arsenal.
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TRENDING RUMORS
– Liverpool could replace Cody Gakpo with Newcastle United winger Anthony Gordon in the summer, according to TEAMtalk. Gakpo has been offered to clubs in the Premier League, including Tottenham Hotspur, and around Europe as Liverpool attempt to gauge interest in the Netherlands international through third-party representatives. Gakpo’s departure could make way Gordon who continues to impress Reds’ officials, though Newcastle have made no secret of their intention to keep the 25-year-old on Tyneside. Gordon spent part of his youth development at Liverpool before joining Merseyside rivals Everton in 2012, where he began his professional career at Everton.
– Arsenal are stepping up their quest for Roma’s in-form defender Wesley França, with Ben White set to make way in the summer, according to TEAMtalk. Brazilian right-back França has been a revelation since joining the Italians from Flamengo last summer, the 22 year old impressing with a four-goal haul. Arsenal scouts have also noted his athleticism, defensive diligence and attacking capabilities. Everton are also interested. The Gunners are also monitoring Newcastle’s Tino Livramento, Eintracht Frankfurt‘s Nnamdi Collins and Monaco‘s Vanderson. Meanwhile, White’s departure has been sanctioned by the club if the right offer comes along.
– Barcelona and Real Madrid are both planning to test the water for Manchester City striker Erling Haaland in the summer, but City are not planning on allowing the 25-year-old to leave, according to Football Insider’s Pete O’Rourke. Haaland is contracted at the Etihad Stadium until 2031, and City are looking to sign players in other positions around him, rather than allow their main striker to leave. Haaland has been out of form by his high standards — scoring just five goals in 18 appearances since the turn of the year — prompting suggestions he may consider a new challenge, and the two Spanish giants remain intent on trying to lure the Norway international to LaLiga as a statement signing. O’Rourke also reports that should manager Pep Guardiola leave the club, City would prefer to replace him with Bayern Munich boss Vincent Kompany, rather than other possible candidates such as Enzo Maresca or Luis Enrique.
– Juventus boss Luciano Spalletti is keen on signing Real Madrid defender Antonio Rüdiger and, in doing, so fend off interest from a number of Premier League clubs, according to Tuttosport. Spalletti and Rüdiger worked together at Roma, and it remains an ambition of the Bianconeri boss to re-sign the 33-year-old, ideally on a two-year deal, to bring some stability to his back line. Spalletti sees the Germany defender as the perfect short-term addition to his squad, with his UEFA Champions League experience and leadership qualities both valuable qualities. Rüdiger is available on a free transfer at the end of the season. However, Diario AS reports that there has been a “radical twist” in the situation, with a contract renewal for the defender now on the cards. Madrid coach Álvaro Arbeloa enthusiastically said on Saturday that he’d “build a statue to Rüdiger and put it in my garden.”
– Atlético Madrid have bid €35 million plus bonuses for Atalanta midfielder Éderson, according to Sportitalia’s Alfredo Pedulla. The Italian club are hoping to recoup closer to €40 million for the Brazilian. Éderson was a key member of the team as Le Dea won the Europa League and finished fourth in Serie A in 2023-24, and since then he has been linked with some of Europe’s biggest clubs for several seasons. The 26-year-old’s contract in Bergamo is due to expire at the end of next season.
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OTHER RUMORS
– Liverpool are ahead of Chelsea in the race to sign midfielder Eduardo Camavinga. Real Madrid are willing to listen to offers in the region of €50 million. (Caught Offside)
– Despite being heavily linked with a move away from Newcastle, particularly to Manchester United, Bruno Guimarães is committed to the north-east. (Newcastle Chronicle)
– Inter Milan and Juventus are tracking the situation of Chelsea midfielder Andrey Santos, hoping the 21-year-old could form an integral part of their midfield rebuilds in the summer. (Ekrem Konur)
– Arsenal could allow a number of players to leave in the summer as they look to freshen up their squad and build on what they hope will be a title-winning season. (Daily Telegraph)
– Liverpool winger Giorgi Mamardashvili is a target for European clubs and he could be tempted with the promise of more game time. (Football Insider)
– Rangers boss Danny Röhl has expressed his desire to extend Mikey Moore‘s deal beyond the end of the season, whether it’s a loan move or permanent deal. The 18-year-old was on the scoresheet for Rangers against Aberdeen on Saturday. (Daily Mail)
– Xabi Alonso is the leading contender to replace Arne Slot should the Dutchman be relieved of his duties as Liverpool Manager. Slot came under fresh pressure following Saturday’s 2-1 defeat at Brighton & Hove Albion. (Football Insider)
Sports
PSL matches to go ahead without spectators under govt’s austerity drive amid regional crisis: Naqvi
LAHORE: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, in a major announcement on Sunday, said that the much-awaited Pakistan Super League (PSL) matches will be held without spectators as part of the government’s austerity measures amid ongoing regional crisis.
Addressing a press conference in Lahore, Naqvi said the tournament will be limited to two venues, Karachi and Lahore. He added that the decision aims to reduce public movement.
This is a developing story and will be updated with more information.
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No. 12 High Point put everyone on notice for the second time in as many games this March Madness, but could not find the same success.
After advancing to the Round of 32 following an upset victory over No. 5 Wisconsin, the Panthers’ season ended after No. 4 Arkansas ran away from them late Saturday night.
High Point led by as many as five early in the game, and they were up 56-52 with 14:17 to go after going on a 12-2 run.
Both teams exchanged buckets for several minutes, with no one expanding their respective leads by more than three points for a little while.
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High Point Panthers head coach Flynn Clayman and guard Rob Martin (3) react in the second half against the Arkansas Razorbacks during a second round game of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Moda Center. (Craig Strobeck/Imagn Images)
With 7:04 to play, the Panthers took a 72-71 lead, to which the Razorbacks responded with a 10-2 run, putting them up by seven and giving them their largest lead of the night.
The game was then quickly tied at 83 after a wild run by High Point, but over the final 3:19, Arkansas outscored High Point, 11-5, to snatch the victory, despite a valiant effort from the Panthers.
High Point Panthers forward Terry Anderson (5) drives against Arkansas Razorbacks forward Malique Ewin (12) and forward Billy Richmond III (24) in the second half during a second round game of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Moda Center. (Craig Strobeck/Imagn Images)
Arkansas was favored by 11.5, and while they couldn’t cover, it was another Sweet 16 appearance for legendary head coach John Calipari.
Two Panthers, Rob Martin (30) and Cam’Ron Fletcher (25), combined for 55 points, but Darius Acuff Jr. of Arkansas trumped everyone by dropping 36.
Arkansas will face the winner of No. 1 Arizona and No. 9 Utah State in the Sweet 16.
High Point Panthers head coach Flynn Clayman and forward Braden Hausen (15) react in the second half against the Arkansas Razorbacks during a second round game of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Moda Center. (Craig Strobeck/Imagn Images)
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High Point’s victory over Wisconsin on Thursday marked their first ever in March Madness after making the tournament last year for the first time.
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