The party was on after Juan Soto drilled a two-run home run in the bottom of the fourth during an exhibition game between the Dominican Republic and the Detroit Tigers.
The two-run blast to right field by the Mets’star broke a 4-4 tie as the Dominican Republic defeated the Tigers 12-4 in the World Baseball Classic tune-up game on Tuesday night in Santo Domingo.
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The go-ahead home run sent Estadio Quisqueya into pure jubilation as the fans celebrated the on-field moment.
Soto himself seemed to take in the moment a little bit more, pointing up toward the crowd as he rounded first base and clapping his hands above his head as he made his way around third.
After he crossed home plate, he did a special handshake with Fernando Tatis Jr. and the two began dancing with one another.
Juan Soto celebrates after hitting a two-run homer during the fourth inning of the Dominican Republic’s 12-4 blowout win over the Tigers at Estadio Quisqueya on March 3, 2026. Getty Images
The home run went 431 feet and came off his bat with a velocity of 107.3.
The party did not stop with Soto’s home run.
The Dominican Republic team saw Manny Machado and Junior Caminero hit back-to-back home runs later in the inning to break open the game.
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Soto went 2-for-4 in the contest and ended the night with an RBI single.
More than 10,000 fans packed into Estadio Quisqueya on Tuesday night to see the game, marking the first time that the Dominican Republic’s national team had faced a Major League Baseball organization.
Juan Soto hits a two-run homer during the fourth inning of the Dominican Republic’s blowout win over the Tigers at Estadio Quisqueya on March 33, 2026 in Santo Domingo. Getty Images
Soto was not the only Met in the lineup for the Dominican Republic on Tuesday night.
Mets pitcher Huascar Brazoban took the mound for the DR and struck out two batters in the ninth inning.
The Dominican Republic will face the Tigers again on Wednesday at 2:05 p.m.
The DR begins pool play in the World Baseball Classic on Friday against Nicaragua at loanDepot Park in Miami.
