Aaron Judge, USA Beat Canada to Advance to WBC Semifinal Bracket as Fans Eye Dominican Republic Game

Aaron Judge and Team USA bested Canada 5-3 in the World Baseball Classic quarterfinals on Friday night to advance to the semifinals for a must-see matchup against the Dominican Republic.

Judge anchored the defense while adding a hit and a run at the plate. Kyle Schwarber and Alex Bregman each added an RBI, while Brice Turang (2-for-3) and Pete Crow-Armstrong (2-for-4) each drove in a run to help power the offense.

Ace Logan Webb set the tone on the mound, striking out five while allowing four hits over 4.2 scoreless innings to keep Canada off the board early.

With the win secured, fans are already turning their attention to Team USA's upcoming matchup against the Dominican Republic in the semis.

Schwarber drove in Bobby Witt Jr. in the top of the first to give Team USA an early 1-0 lead.

After a three-and-out second inning, Bregman reached on an infield single in the third to bring home Bryce Harper. Judge then scored on a throwing error from third, helping Team USA extend its lead to 3-0 after three innings.

Team USA's bats cooled for a few frames before the offense came alive again in the sixth. Turang singled to score Roman Anthony, and Crow-Armstrong followed with a RBI of his own, bringing home Cal Raleigh to keep the pressure on and take a 5-0 lead.

Canada answered with a much-needed sixth inning, scoring three runs. A Tyler Black RBI cut into the deficit before Bo Naylor launched a 404-foot, two-run home run to pull Canada within 5-3 after six innings.

Canada had two runners in scoring position with no outs in the bottom of the seventh, but David Bednar slammed the door. The right-hander shut down three straight batters to escape the jam and keep the United States' lead intact.

Team USA was held scoreless from the seventh through the ninth, leaving the door open for Canada in the bottom of the ninth with two runs needed to tie and three to win. 

Mason Miller shut the door for the United States, striking out two batters looking and the final one swinging to secure the win.

The United States will now face a stacked Dominican Republic squad in the semifinals after the Dominicans mercy-ruled South Korea 10-0 in the quarterfinals.