Venezuela won the World Baseball Classic championship for the first time, beating the United States 3-2 in the final on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, at loanDepot Park in Miami, Florida.[1]
Prior to this tournament, only Japan (2006, 2009, 2023), the Dominican Republic (2013) and the United States (2017) had won the WBC title.[2][3]
Venezuela advanced to the final after defeating Italy in the semifinals on Monday, March 16.[1] The championship round took place at loanDepot Park, which hosted the 2023 WBC final.[1]
Eduardo Rodriguez, a Venezuelan left-hander, started for Venezuela and pitched 4.1 innings. He allowed one hit, to Brice Turang, walked none and struck out four, including United States captain Aaron Judge twice, before exiting after 57 pitches to a standing ovation.
Venezuela took a 1-0 lead in the third inning on a sacrifice fly by Maikel Garcia. Boston Red Sox outfielder Wilyer Abreu extended the lead to 2-0 with a solo home run in the fifth inning off United States starter Nolan McLain.[4]
Bryce Harper hit a two-run home run in the bottom of the eighth inning with two outs after Bobby Witt Jr. walked, tying the score at 2-2.
In the top of the ninth, Garrett Whitlock walked the leadoff batter for the United States. Pinch-runner Javier Sanoja stole second, and Eugenio Suarez hit an RBI double to left-center field for a 3-2 lead.
Daniel Palencia pitched the bottom of the ninth for the save, striking out Kyle Schwarber, inducing a pop-up from Gunnar Henderson and striking out Roman Anthony.
Venezuela's pitchers held the United States to two hits overall in the game.
- Key scoring summary:
- 3rd inning: Venezuela 1-0 (Maikel Garcia sacrifice fly)
- 5th inning: Venezuela 2-0 (Wilyer Abreu solo home run)
- 8th inning: United States 2-2 (Bryce Harper two-run home run)
- 9th inning: Venezuela 3-2 (Eugenio Suarez RBI double)
Sources
- MLB.com
MLB announces 2026 World Baseball Classic Pool composition, dates and venue locations
August 5, 2024
https://www.mlb.com/news/mlb-announces-2026-world-baseball-classic-pool-composition-dates-and-venue-locations - Wikipedia
World Baseball Classic
Accessed October 2024
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Baseball_Classic - MLB.com
World Baseball Classic
Accessed October 2024
https://www.mlb.com/world-baseball-classic - MLB.com
Wilyer Abreu player page
Accessed October 2024
https://www.mlb.com/player/wilyer-abreu-666742
