Cristopher Sanchez's Dominant Outing Leads Dominican Republic Past Quarterfinal Round

The Dominican Republic's potent offense continued to be in high gear on Friday night as they run-ruled Korea by a final score of 10-0, defeating them in seven innings. Although the DR offense was still as good as ever, Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Cristopher Sanchez turned in a sensational start. The DR will now advance to the semifinal round, which will be against the winner of the United States-Canada game.

After a start with mixed results from Cristopher Sanchez in the opening game for the DR against Nicaragua, he bounced back and went five shutout innings, allowing just one hit and one walk, striking out eight in the process. Of the eight strikeouts, six were swinging strikeouts.

Sanchez finished his outing, generating 18 total whiffs, 11 of which came on the sinker. His sinker topped out at 96.9 mph. Of all his sliders and changeups that were swung at, they were all whiffs as well.

Friday marked the final start for Sanchez in the World Baseball Classic, Dominican Republic manager Albert Pujols told reporters following the game.

"I think you all know Cristopher was one of the best pitchers last season," Pujols said. "The way he prepares and works, and knowing the adjustments he needed to make, and same thing with the offense, you don't have a lot of information. You prepare yourself the best way you can, and Cristopher did a great job, giving us five innings, staying under the pitch limit."

After not scoring in the first inning, Junior Caminero ripped an RBI double to left field, driving in Vladimir Guerrero Jr., making it a 1-0 game. Caminero advanced to third on the throw. An RBI groundout from Julio Rodriguez drove Caminero in and extended the DR lead, 2-0. After Marlins catcher Agustin Ramirez worked a walk and advanced to second on a base hit from Diamondbacks shortstop Geraldo Perdomo, Fernando Tatis Jr. of the San Diego Padres drove Ramirez in on an RBI single.

In the bottom of the third, Guerrero drove in Juan Soto on an RBI double, and Manny Machado drove Guerrero in on an RBI single. With the bases loaded, Korea pitcher Been Gwak issued back-to-back walks, capping off the four-run bottom of the third.

Austin Wells, who replaced Agustin Ramirez in the top of the seventh inning, hit his second home run of the World Baseball Classic, this time a three-run shot to win in knockout fashion. The ball left the bat at 107.0 mph and went 375 feet to right field.

"The experience has been incredible," Wells said postgame. "Just being able to play alongside guys like Junior Caminero and the whole team, it's been an unbelievable honor being able to represent my family and the country of the Dominican Republic. This is something that I am never going to forget, and hopefully I will be able to have the opportunity to do this again."

With the win, the Dominican Republic will play on Sunday at 8:00 pm against either the winner of the United States-Canada game. On Saturday, Venezuela and Japan will face off at 9:00 pm. It'll be Ranger Suarez on the bump for Omar Lopez's team, and for Hirokazu Ibata's club, Yoshinubo Yammamoto will get the start. In Houston, Italy and Puerto Rico will face off, and they play the winner of Venezuela/Japan on Monday night.

Kevin Barral is on-site in Miami covering the World Baseball Classic for DiamondCentric.