The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Stanton, Jones carry U.S. into WBC semis
Marlins slugger’s HR helps Americans KO Dominican Republic.
The United States is going to the semifinals of the World Baseball Classic for the second time thanks to another impressive home run by Giancarlo Stanton at Petco Park in San Diego and a spectacular catch at the fence by Adam Jones.
Stanton hit a go-ahead, two-run shot into the thirdlevel balcony of the Western Metal Supply Co. Building in the left-field corner in the fourth inning, and Jones robbed Baltimore Orioles teammate Manny Machado of a home run in the seventh to help the Americans beat the Dominican Republic 6-3 on Saturday night, eliminating the defending champions.
Team USA will face Japan on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium for a spot in the championship game.
Stanton’s homer gave the United States a 4-2 lead and put a charge into the sellout crowd of 43,002.
The slugger’s shot was reminiscent of his Home Run Derby victory at Petco Park on July 11, when he peppered the far reaches of the big downtown ballpark, including hitting one onto the top of the 108-yearold brick warehouse.
“Yeah, it did kind of feel like the Home Run Derby,” Stanton said.
Three innings later, Jones leaped and reached over the fence in the deepest part of the park in right-center to rob Machado of a home run. Machado tipped his helmet to Jones.
“I’m still in kind of shock that I even got to that ball,” said Jones, who played at Morse High about 8 miles east of Petco. “I mean, off the bat I’m just like, ‘This ball’s hit really far, so just keep going, keep going. You know this California air’s going to slow it down and just never quit.’ That’s just the style I play with. I don’t mind running into a wall or two. I just kept going after the ball.
“I saw the replay after the game. It was a hell of catch,” he added.
Robinson Cano then homered to left to pull the Dominican Republic to 4-3.
Andrew McCutchen gave Team USA some breathing room with a two-run double in the eighth, and Luke Gregerson pitched a perfect ninth to close it out.
This is the second time in four editions of the WBC the United States has advanced to the semifinals. It lost to Japan in 2009.
Earlier on Saturday, Puerto Rico completed a 3-0 run through Pool F by beating Venezuela 13-2. Puerto Rico clinched first place in the pool with a 6-5 victory against the United States on Friday night and will play the Netherlands in the semifinals tonight at Dodger Stadium. The championship game is Wednesday night.
Indians: RHP Cody Anderson will undergo reconstructive elbow surgery and miss the 2017 season. The 26-yearold made nine starts for Cleveland last season and was expected to begin this year at Triple-A Buffalo . ...
Second baseman Jason Kipnis is still four to five weeks away from playing in a game as he deals with shoulder inflammation.
Marlins: 3B Martin Prado is expected to miss the start of the regular season after straining his right hamstring at the WBC.
“Obviously it’s never good, but I’m encouraged it’s a Grade 1,” Marlins manager Don Mattingly said.
A Grade I strain is considered the least severe.
Red Sox: LHP Drew Pomeranz exited Sunday’s start after two innings because of tightness in his triceps.
“I don’t think it’s anything serious,” Pomeranz said.