Miami. It was a testament what excitement can be created with the World Baseball Classic. In front of a full house at Marlins Park in Miami, Florida the Dominican Republic had a feel of home field advantage against the United States in a 3-1 win, which sends them into the semi-finals. They are joining the Netherlands and Japan in San Francisco with the fourth berth being determined between Puerto Rico and Team USA on Friday evening.

Erick Aybar sent the fans crazy with a pinch hit RBI single off Craig Kimbrel, giving the Dominican Republic their first and final lead against Team USA. Then Aybar stole second and scored on a base hit by Alejandro De Aza. The Dominican Republic beat (3-1) Team USA and earned a spot in the semi-finals of the 2013 World Baseball Classic.

Miami. Thanks to a late comeback Puerto Rico keeps in the race for the final round at the 2013 World Baseball Classic. They defeated Italy on Wednesday at Marlins Park, eliminating the European champion. Now the focus will switch to the highly anticipated clash between Team USA and the Dominican Republic on Thursday evening. The winner will clinch a berth in the semi-finals, while the loser gets a second chance against Puerto Rico on Friday.

Trailing 3-1, the team from the Caribbean scored 3 in the bottom of the eigth and now will face the loser between Team USA and the Dominican Republic

Miami/Tokyo. While the second round of the 2013 World Baseball Classic in Tokyo, Japan ended with a victory of Team Samurai in the seeding game over the Netherlands, the second round in Miami, Florida got underway on Tuesday. The results don’t show any surprises. The Dominican Republic came back from a four-run deficit to down a strong Italian team. Team USA out-pitched and out-hit Puerto Rico en route to a win.

Miami. Team USA may have been a disappointment early in the tournament, but Joe Torre’s side keeps improving and looks now like a very likely contender in the final round of the World Baseball Classic. In front of a 32,872 fan crowd the USA beat (7-1) a solid Puerto Rico and will now rest one day, before playing against the Dominican Republic for a spot in the semi final. Puerto Rico will play on Wednesday (7 pm US Eastern Time) against Italy an elimination game.

Miami. According to manager Marco Mazzieri, Team Italy couldn’t have done more on Tuesday: “The boys played very well and they left everything on the field. That’s what I requested”.

San Juan. Venezuela defeated Spain 11-6 on Sunday afternoon at Hiram Birthorn Stadium in San Juan, Puerto Rico to close out first-round play in Pool C. Both teams will miss the second round, Venezuela in third place, Spain in fourth.

Phoenix. Team USA came from behind to score 7 runs in the last 2 at bats and won (9-4) the match with Canada, thus qualifying as the number 1 seed in the poule D of the 2013 World Baseball Classic.

Tokyo/Phoenix/San Juan. Two-time World Baseball Classic winner Japan continues its success story also at the third edition in 2013. Team Samurai crushed 2011 IBAF Baseball World Cup winner Netherlands on Sunday to reach the semifinals as the first team. Cuba will face the Dutch team on Monday to determine the second semifinalist.