Team DR's starry lineup relishes home-field advantage in historic matchup

SANTO DOMINGO – The atmosphere at Quisqueya Juan Marichal Stadium on Tuesday night was not typical of Dominican Winter League games, even though many names in the home team's lineup had played on this field in the past.

The sparkle of the country's beloved team dazzled the more than 10,000 fans who packed the capital's stadium, built in 1956 and expected to be replaced by a new park in the coming years.

But the lineup of the team that will represent the tricolor flag in the World Baseball Classic was more than impressive, beating the Tigers 12-4. Names such as Manny Machado, Juan Soto, Fernando Tatis Jr., Vladimir Guerrero Jr., and Ketel Marte were on display.

For the first time, the Dominican Republic's national team was competing at home against a Major League Baseball franchise, providing a setting for reflection and national pride as the team prepares for the upcoming 2026 World Baseball Classic. MLB’s visit to the Dominican Republic was its first since March 2024, when it held two exhibition games on March 8 and 9 between the Tampa Bay Rays and the Boston Red Sox.

Before the first game of the historic exhibition series, there was a remembrance of those lost in the tragedy of the early morning of April 8, 2025, when the roof of the popular Jet Set nightclub collapsed, leaving 235 people dead, including former Major League pitcher Octavio Dotel.

Nelsy Cruz, the sister of former Major League All-Star Nelson Cruz – who is the general manager of the Dominican team – also perished in the early hours of that Tuesday morning when merengue singer Rubby Pérez sang and delighted his audience for the last time.

During Tuesday’s pregame ceremony, Major League Baseball, UEPA and the Detroit Tigers Foundation presented a $125,000 check to the Cruz Roja Dominicana (Dominican Red Cross). The donation, organized under the MLB Together social responsibility platform, serves as a tribute to the victims of the tragedy.

The check was presented by Commissioner Rob Manfred, Fernando Queipo of the UEPA, Chris Ilitch (Chairman and CEO of the Detroit Tigers) and Nelson Cruz, who, in addition to serving as the GM of the Dominican Republic National Team, is also an MLB special advisor.

Dr. Miguel Sanz, president of the Dominican Red Cross, accepted the donation on behalf of the nation’s relief efforts.

"Major League Baseball is honored to support the Dominican Republic as we remember last year's tragedy," Manfred said. "Baseball has a special ability to bring people together, and we intend to use this platform to remember and renew ourselves."

The exhibition series between the Dominican Republic national team and the Tigers was special for many reasons. Many of these Major League stars have never played winter baseball, and some probably never will, as is the case with captain Machado.

The Dominican bats did not disappoint. In the fourth inning, Soto hit a one-out, two-run home run, and one out later, Machado and Caminero went back-to-back to take control of the game at 8-4.

The crowd vibrated with the powerful Dominican bats, and the Quisqueya became a party.

Soto drove in three runs, and Caminero went 4-for-4 with two runs scored and an RBI.