Yokohama, Japan - The United States baseball team still has a shot at a gold medal, as they outlasted the Dominican Republic on Wednesday to stay alive in their Olympic tournament.

What was at stake at Wednesday's matchup?

The winner would get the chance to play in the follow-up the gold medal game, while the loser would only have the bronze medal game ahead of them.

Team USA came in with a chip on its shoulder after falling short at the hands of an extra-innings comeback by Team Japan this past Monday.

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They didn't let it happen again on Wednesday, when the Americans prevailed 3-1 over the Dominican Republic to move one step closer to the gold medal game on Thursday night.

Triston Casas (21), the Boston Red Sox's top prospect, got things started with a two-run blast in the first inning to give Team USA the early lead.

Apart from that shot, the game stayed close as both pitchers kept the game in check.

Former New York Yankee Tyler Austin, who now plays professional baseball in Japan, hit a solo home run, his second in the Tokyo Games, during the fifth inning to add to the US lead.

There was a little fight left on the Dominican side as Charlie Valerio hit a solo homer of his own in the ninth inning. But it proved to be too little, too late when US closer David Robertson slammed the door for his second save of the tournament.

Former MLB pitcher Scott Kazmir was on the mound for the win and the Domincan Republic's Denyi Reyes, who’s also currently moving up through the Red Sox’s farm system, was handed the loss.

Team USA must now face defending Olympic champion South Korea on Thursday, with a gold medal up for grabs.