Team USA heads to World Baseball Classic semifinals

WASHINGTON — Team USA is on to the semifinals of the World Baseball Classic after a 6-3 win over defending champions, the Dominican Republic.

The U.S. will take on Japan this Tuesday for the right to play in the championship game Wednesday against either Puerto Rico or Netherlands, who will play in the other semifinal Monday night at Dodger Stadium.

Former National reliever Tyler Clippard had a hold, his first, in the tourney as he pitched an inning and a third in the victory.

Clippard was pitching when Oriole teammates Adam Jones and Manny Machado had a memorable moment, as Jones playing for team USA in his native San Diego, robbed Machado, wearing the uniform of the Dominican Republic, of a home run.

Machado respectively acknowledged Jones’ spectacular play. Clippard was also excited for the awesome catch by his Team USA teammate.

This year, the United States is as far into the tournament as they were in 2009, when they finished in fourth place, out of the medal count.

Team USA’s opponent, Japan, won the first two WBC’s and finished third in 2013 — that’s two gold and one bronze over the course of the first three tournaments.

The Nat’s Tanner Roark is expected to start Tuesday night’s semifinal. The righty has been with the team all tournament long — alongside Nationals teammate Daniel Murphy, who’s been the designated hitter, but didn’t play in Saturday’s win over the Dominican Republic.