MIAMI – Fernando Tatis Jr. Is making his presence felt at the 2026 World Baseball Classic. After setting the table for his teammates in the tournament’s first two games, the San Diego Padres superstar took center stage Monday, delivering the first grand slam in Dominican Republic’s World Baseball Classic history.
The monumental hit propelled the Dominican Republic to a 10-1 victory over Israel at loanDepot park, securing their spot in the tournament quarterfinals. Tatis’s performance was nothing short of spectacular, finishing the game with a team record six RBIs.
“I definitely do take a lot of pride in being able to contribute on every single side of the game,” Tatis said after the game. “Being able to do that for the Dominican Republic, it means everything to me. We’re just going out there and giving everything.”
The Dominican Republic’s dominant performance wasn’t solely attributable to Tatis’s grand slam. Starting pitcher Brayan Bello was equally impressive, limiting Israel to just one hit – a solo home run by Spencer Horwitz – over five innings, while striking out seven batters. Bello’s strong outing set the stage for Tatis’s explosive offensive display.
With the win, the Dominican Republic improved to 3-0 in Pool D, guaranteeing their advancement to the next round. Crucially, the result also secured a quarterfinal berth for Venezuela, regardless of the outcomes of their remaining games. The tournament format means that strong performances from teams like the Dominican Republic have ripple effects throughout the bracket.
“Our whole team understands our goal is to win this tournament,” said Dominican Republic manager Albert Pujols. “It’s not going to be effortless. This is just giving us a pass to the next round, but we’re going to be ready and we’re going to stay focused.”
For Israel, the loss marked the end of their run in the tournament. Their record fell to 1-2, eliminating them from contention. Manager Brad Ausmus, while acknowledging the defeat, offered a wry observation. “Well, they didn’t run-rule us, I guess,” Ausmus said. “That would be about it. It’s never fun to get your butt kicked.”
The Dominican Republic’s final game in Pool D is scheduled for Wednesday night against Venezuela (8:00 PM ET, FS1/FOX Deportes). This matchup is anticipated to be the most competitive of the pool, despite both teams already having secured their places in the quarterfinals. The outcome will determine which team faces defending champion Japan in the quarterfinals, adding significant stakes to the contest.
“We are going to speak about the next game on Wednesday,” Pujols said. “Today we are going to enjoy the victory.”
Israel starter Ryan Prager initially appeared to be in control, retiring the top of the Dominican lineup in order. Yet, warning signs emerged in the form of hard-hit outs by Ketel Marte (97 mph exit velocity) and Juan Soto (99.3 mph), suggesting Prager’s early success might not be sustainable.
Tatis capitalized on this, launching a 1-2 pitch from Prager over the left-field bullpen and into the stands for the historic grand slam. He paused to admire his hit before a celebratory bat flip, igniting a joyous reaction from the thousands of Dominican fans in attendance and his teammates, who rushed the field to celebrate. The moment underscored the team’s growing momentum, and confidence.
“It’s the type of team you put together when you want to win on PlayStation or MLB The Show,” Ausmus remarked, acknowledging the Dominican Republic’s formidable lineup. “It’s obviously one of the best lineups in the world.”
The Dominican Republic’s offensive prowess has been on full display throughout the tournament. The team’s nine home runs thus far have matched a team record for a WBC, equaling the totals from the 2006 and 2017 squads. Mexico holds the overall WBC record with 14 home runs in 2009. Only the 2009 Cuban team had hit more than nine home runs through their first three games of a Classic, with 11.
Tatis continued to shine in the seventh inning, adding a two-run single to his tally, becoming the first Dominican player to drive in six runs in a World Baseball Classic game. He tied Adrián González (Mexico, 2009) for the second-most RBIs in a WBC game, trailing only Hall of Famer Ken Griffey Jr., who drove in seven runs for Team USA against South Africa in the inaugural 2006 tournament.
Prior to Monday’s game, Tatis was already performing well, going 2-for-4 with five walks and four runs scored in the Dominican Republic’s first two games. His current slash line in the tournament stands at an impressive .500/.692/.875.
“Today, it was Tatis Jr.’s day,” Pujols said. “He took the show, and that’s how dangerous this lineup is. One day it’s going to be Tatis, the other day Guerrero, Soto, Oneil. He’s a guy who can turn a base hit into a double, a double into a triple, or he can put the ball in the seats like he did today. That was a huge moment for us to turn things around when he went deep and hit that grand slam.”
Following the game, the Dominican Republic players opted for a more subdued celebration, shaking hands with their opponents rather than engaging in the boisterous displays seen after previous home runs. This restraint, however, belied their confidence.
“We just know there’s way more of this,” Tatis said. “We have been enjoying the moment, we have been enjoying the success that we have been doing on the field, but at the same time, we know there’s a bigger goal out there.”
The Dominican Republic now turns its attention to Wednesday’s crucial matchup against Venezuela, with the quarterfinals looming. Fans can follow updates and results on the official World Baseball Classic website and through MLB’s official channels. The team’s performance in Miami has already captivated baseball fans worldwide, and their pursuit of a championship continues.
What’s next: The Dominican Republic will face Venezuela on Wednesday, March 12 at 8:00 PM ET (12:00 AM UTC) on FS1/FOX Deportes.
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