MIAMI -- The Dominican Republic has had a lot of use for its home run jacket. The team, which has become renowned for its bat flips, celebrations and teamwide parties at home plate, has worn out a path around the bases during this year’s World Baseball Classic.
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On Sunday night in the semifinals against Team USA, Junior Caminero got things started early for the Dominicans. Facing reigning National League Cy Young Award winner Paul Skenes in the bottom of the second, Caminero took a hack at a 1-2 sweeper that was up and away. It didn’t matter that the pitch was in a good location and that few hitters would likely be able to do something with it in that location in that count. This was Caminero, who hit 45 home runs last season and had already hit two this tournament.
He turned the pitch around and deposited it into the left-field seats, right by the Dominican Republic’s bullpen. After rounding the bases, Caminero put on the jacket, an article of clothing surely in need of washing by now.
The blast, which gave the D.R. an early lead against the USA with a spot in Tuesday’s championship game on the line, was also the team’s 15th of the tournament. That set a new World Baseball Classic record, breaking the mark of 14 set by Mexico in 2009. That year, Karim Garcia led the way with three home runs for El Tri.
Eight batters have hit homers for the Dominican Republic, with Caminero leading the way with three. Oneil Cruz, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Juan Soto, Fernando Tatis Jr. and Austin Wells all have two while Ketel Marte and Julio Rodríguez have one each. Caminero’s three homer are tied for the most in a single World Baseball Classic before turning 23, with 2017 Carlos Correa.
Team Italy, which plays Venezuela in the other semifinal on Monday (8 p.m. ET, FS1), has 12 homers.