Cristopher Sánchez struggles in World Baseball Classic debut, but Dominican Republic still wins big in opener

Left-hander Cristopher Sánchez made the first batter of his World Baseball Classic debut swing and miss at a third strike, but the ball skirted away from catcher Austin Wells and allowed Chase Dawson to reach first base. It was that kind of night for Sánchez, who struggled against Nicaragua in his first opportunity on this international stage.

Sánchez allowed three runs (two earned) in 1 1/3 innings. He struck out four batters in the top of the first inning, but still gave up a run. He didn’t get rocked, but he surrendered six base hits. Despite the ace’s lackluster outing, the Dominican Republic still downed Nicaragua, 12-3, in Pool D play on Friday night at Miami’s loanDepot Park.

Facing the leadoff hitter Dawson, Sánchez threw a 1-2 slider that ended up in a strikeout/wild pitch. Nicaragua then hit back-to-back singles to center field, with Ismael Munguia driving in Dawson. Sánchez later loaded the bases, but he was able to escape without any further damage.

Nicaragua tacked on in the second inning, taking a 3-2 lead on a Freddy Zamora RBI double and a Dawson single that left fielder Juan Soto booted. Sánchez was pulled with one out in favor of Huascar Brazobán.

The Dominican Republic responded with an RBI single in the third from Julio Rodríguez to tie the game, and the offense came alive with some exciting moments in the later innings. Designated hitter Junior Caminero hit a two-run laser beam over the center-field wall in the sixth to take the lead, and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hit a sacrifice fly in the seventh. An inning later, the club scored five runs to blow the game open as Rodríguez homered to center, Oneil Cruz hit a three-run shot, Guerrero hit an RBI double and Rodríguez knocked in another run on a single.

After the 12-run outburst, the Dominican Republic will take on the Netherlands on Sunday afternoon. On Thursday, Sánchez expressed willingness to make another start in the WBC if the Dominican Republic advances past pool play.