WBC 2026: Caminero Jumpstarts Late D.R. Power Surge in Rout of Nicaragua

The Dominican Republic opened Pool D with a 12-3 win over Nicaragua on Friday night, March 6, 2026, at loanDepot Park in Miami. The game was tied 3-3 until the sixth, when Junior Caminero (Rays) drilled a 414-foot two-run homer to center off Stiven Cruz (Brewers) to break the tie. Julio Rodríguez (Mariners) and Oneil Cruz (Pirates) added home runs in a six-run eighth that put the game out of reach. Nicaragua had jumped ahead in the first—Cristopher Sánchez (Phillies, NL Cy Young runner-up) had a historic four-strikeout inning (strikeout/wild pitch plus three Ks) but allowed three runs in 1 1/3 innings—and Ketel Marte and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. tied it in the bottom of the first. J-Rod tied it again with an RBI single in the third after Nicaragua went back ahead. Seven D.R. relievers combined for 7 2/3 scoreless innings. The top two teams from Pool D advance to the quarterfinals in Houston. The D.R. is off Saturday and faces the Netherlands on Sunday; Nicaragua faces the Netherlands on Saturday at noon (Tubi).

How the game unfolded

Nicaragua jumped out in the first: the first four hitters reached, including a strikeout/wild pitch from Cristopher Sánchez; Ismael Munguia's RBI single made it 1-0, and Sánchez walked Mark Vientos to load the bases with nobody out. Sánchez then struck out the next three batters—the first four-strikeout inning in WBC history.

Ketel Marte tied it with an RBI double in the bottom of the first and scored on a Vladimir Guerrero Jr. groundout. Nicaragua went back ahead in the second on hits by Freddy Zamora and Chase Dawson (3-2). Julio Rodríguez knotted it again with an RBI single in the third. The two bullpens then settled in; Nicaragua retired the D.R. in order in the fourth and fifth.

Manny Machado led off the sixth with a double off Stiven Cruz; two pitches later, Junior Caminero launched his 414-foot two-run homer to center. Caminero was met at the plate by Machado, J-Rod, and Fernando Tatis Jr. for the team's home run celebration. Wandy Peralta and Camilo Doval handled the next six outs before the D.R. broke out with six runs in the eighth—Julio Rodríguez and Oneil Cruz homered—to seal the 12-3 final.

Pool D standings (after Dominican Republic 12–3 Nicaragua, March 6)

The top two teams after round-robin play (through March 11) advance to the quarterfinals in Houston. Venezuela and the D.R. are both 1-0. The D.R. faces the Netherlands Sunday; Nicaragua faces the Netherlands Saturday noon (Tubi).

Pool D context and what's next

Pool D at loanDepot Park in Miami is one of the toughest groups in the 2026 WBC. Venezuela and the Dominican Republic are both 1-0; the Netherlands, Israel, and Nicaragua will need to respond. Nicaragua manager Dusty Baker said it was a "good game for five innings" and that the D.R.'s "big bats woke up." Pool play runs through March 11; every game will shape who reaches Houston.

Names to watch for AthX

Junior Caminero (Rays), Juan Soto (Yankees), Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (Blue Jays), Julio Rodríguez (Mariners), Fernando Tatis Jr. (Padres), Manny Machado (Padres), Oneil Cruz (Pirates), Ketel Marte (D-backs), Cristopher Sánchez (Phillies), and Camilo Doval (Giants) are key MLB names on the D.R. roster. Mark Vientos (Mets) is on Nicaragua. WBC performance does not affect dynamic pricing—AthX prices are driven by MLB performance—but a strong tournament can boost narrative and demand before Opening Day.

What It Means for AthX

WBC stats don't count in dynamic pricing; AthX share prices are based on MLB playing time and results. Still, WBC results can shape narrative and demand for the D.R.'s star-heavy roster. Use the WBC as a lead-in to see who's in form, then browse the marketplace to see how MLB players are valued on AthX.

*Sources: MLB.com – Caminero jumpstarts late DR power surge in rout of Nicaragua; ESPN WBC; official WBC Pool D results. Fact-checked March 6, 2026.*