Giancarlo Stanton hit one of the hardest home runs recorded in Team USA's win

Team USA is headed to Los Angeles for the World Baseball Classic semifinals, and it won’t need a bus or plane to get there. Instead, it can hitch a ride on the absolute rocket of a home run launched by Giancarlo Stanton.

The crushing blow came in the fifth inning of Team USA’s 6-3 win against the Dominican Republic at Petco Park. With the game tied at two, Stanton turned on Ervin Santana’s pitch and in an instant sent it off the bricks on the second floor of Western Metal Supply Co. building at Petco Park.

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And when we say it left in an instant, we’re not kidding.

According to Statcast, Stanton’s two-run home run was the fourth hardest hit homer since it began measuring the exit velocity. He’s in good company too, along with himself and Colorado Rockies slugger Carlos Gonzalez.

Here are the numbers, courtesy of Statcast guru Daren Willman.

There’s a lot to marvel at there. First and foremost, it’s difficult to imagine a baseball being hit any harder than Stanton’s on Saturday. Beyond that, kudos to Carlos Gonzalez for cracking a stat category that seems designed solely for Stanton.

Along with Adam Jones’ incredible home run robbery later in the game, Stanton’s home run could end up having a lasting impact on Team USA’s WBC history too should it go on to win it all. The opportunity is there, but it won’t get any easier with undefeated Japan awaiting on Tuesday.

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Mark Townsend is a writer for Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at bigleaguestew@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!

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