MIAMI – Horns honked, percussion pulsed and school kids squealed. Miami can make quite a din when the Dominicans win.

The visiting team on the scoreboard, the Dominican Republic made itself at home Thursday night by beating the United States, 3-1, to earn a berth in the final round of the World Baseball Classic.

Pinch-hitter Erick Aybar singled home the go-ahead run in the ninth for the Dominicans, who improved to 5-0. They’re assured of a spot in the semifinals beginning Sunday in San Francisco, where two-time defending champion Japan and the Netherlands have already advanced.