Venezuela defeated the United States 3-2 in the World Baseball Classic final on March 17, 2026, at loanDepot Park in Miami, Florida, securing the country's first title in the tournament's history.[1][2]
Prior to this final, the World Baseball Classic had been won by Japan in 2006, 2009 and 2023, the Dominican Republic in 2013, and the United States in 2017.[3][4] Venezuela had advanced with a semifinal victory over Italy the previous night. loanDepot Park, home of the Miami Marlins, hosted Pool C, quarterfinals, semifinals and the final for the 2026 tournament.[1][2]
Eduardo Rodriguez, a left-handed starting pitcher for the Arizona Diamondbacks, pitched 4.1 innings for Venezuela, allowing one hit to Brice Turang and recording four strikeouts, including two against United States captain Aaron Judge. Rodriguez threw 57 pitches before being relieved by manager Omar Lopez.[5][6]
Venezuela's relievers limited the United States to two hits overall. Bryce Harper singled off Jose Butto in the sixth inning, but Judge grounded into a double play. Venezuela took a 1-0 lead in the third inning on a sacrifice fly by Maikel Garcia. A wild pitch by United States starter Nolan McLean advanced runners in the fifth, setting up Wilyer Abreu's solo home run that made the score 2-0. Abreu, a Venezuelan outfielder for the Boston Red Sox, hit a fastball over the center-field wall.[5][7]
The United States tied the game in the bottom of the eighth on a two-run home run by Harper, who came to the plate after a walk to Bobby Witt Jr. Venezuela regained the lead in the top of the ninth against Garrett Whitlock. Following a walk and stolen base by pinch-runner Javier Sanoja, Eugenio Suarez hit an RBI double to left-center field, scoring the go-ahead run.
Daniel Palencia closed out the game for Venezuela in the bottom of the ninth, striking out Kyle Schwarber, Gunnar Henderson and Roman Anthony to preserve the 3-2 victory.
Sources
- MLB.com
Article title: World Baseball Classic 2026 venues and dates
Publication date: March 15, 2024
https://www.mlb.com/news/marlin-park-to-host-2026-wbc-pool-quarterfinals-semis-championship-game-484392742 - Miami Marlins official site
Article title: loanDepot park to host 2026 World Baseball Classic games
Publication date: March 15, 2024
https://www.mlb.com/marlins/news/loandepot-park-to-host-2026-wbc-pool-c-quarterfinal-semifinal-final - MLB.com
Article title: World Baseball Classic
Accessed: October 2024
https://www.mlb.com/world-baseball-classic - Wikipedia
Article title: World Baseball Classic
Accessed: October 2024
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Baseball_Classic - Wikipedia
Article title: Eduardo Rodríguez (left-handed pitcher)
Accessed: October 2024
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eduardo_Rodr%C3%ADguez_(left-handed_pitcher) - MLB.com
Article title: Eduardo Rodriguez player page
Accessed: October 2024
https://www.mlb.com/player/eduardo-rodriguez-608566 - MLB.com
Article title: Wilyer Abreu player page
Accessed: October 2024
https://www.mlb.com/player/wilyer-abreu-666742