Venezuela defeats United States 3-2 to claim first World Baseball Classic title
Venezuela beat the United States 3-2 in the championship game of the 2026 World Baseball Classic on March 17, 2026, at loanDepot park in Miami, Florida.[1][3]
The victory gave Venezuela its first WBC title. Previous champions are Japan (2006, 2009, 2023), the Dominican Republic (2013) and the United States (2017).[2]
Venezuela advanced to the final after defeating Italy in the semifinals on March 16. The tournament final was hosted at loanDepot park, home of Major League Baseball's Miami Marlins.[1][3]
Eduardo Rodriguez, a Venezuelan left-handed pitcher who signed with the Arizona Diamondbacks ahead of the 2025 season, started for Venezuela and pitched 4.1 innings, allowing one hit with four strikeouts.[4]
Wilyer Abreu, an outfielder for the Boston Red Sox, hit a solo home run in the fifth inning to extend Venezuela's lead to 2-0. Maikel Garcia added an RBI in the third inning.[5]
Bryce Harper hit a two-run home run in the bottom of the eighth inning for the United States, tying the score at 2-2. In the top of the ninth, Eugenio Suárez, third baseman for the Arizona Diamondbacks, hit an RBI double to score the go-ahead run after a walk and stolen base.[4]
Daniel Palencia pitched the bottom of the ninth for Venezuela, striking out the side to secure the win.
Venezuela's pitchers limited the United States to two hits in the game.
Sources
- MLB.com
2026 World Baseball Classic pools, dates announced
August 13, 2024
https://www.mlb.com/news/2026-world-baseball-classic-pools-dates-announced - Wikipedia
World Baseball Classic
Accessed October 2024
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Baseball_Classic - Wikipedia
LoanDepot park
Accessed October 2024
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LoanDepot_park - MLB.com
Eduardo Rodríguez
Accessed October 2024
https://www.mlb.com/player/eduardo-rodriguez-608566 - MLB.com
Wilyer Abreu
Accessed October 2024
https://www.mlb.com/player/wilyer-abreu-680736
