Venezuela captured its first World Baseball Classic title with a 3-2 victory over the United States in the championship game on March 17, 2026, at loanDepot park in Miami, Florida. The win marked Venezuela's maiden championship in the tournament, held every four years and organized by Major League Baseball and the World Baseball Softball Confederation.[1]
Previous WBC champions are the United States (2017), Japan (2006, 2009, 2023) and the Dominican Republic (2013).[2] Venezuela reached the final after defeating Italy in the semifinals the previous night. The United States, from Pool C in Houston, advanced through the bracket to face Venezuela in the title game hosted at loanDepot park, site of the semifinals and final.[1]
Eduardo Rodriguez, a 33-year-old left-handed starter for the Arizona Diamondbacks, pitched 4.1 innings for Venezuela, allowing one hit to Milwaukee Brewers infielder Brice Turang and recording four strikeouts, including two against New York Yankees captain Aaron Judge. Rodriguez threw 57 pitches before being relieved by manager Omar Lopez.[3]
Venezuela took a 2-0 lead by the fifth inning. Maikel Garcia, Kansas City Royals infielder, drove in the first run with a sacrifice fly in the third. Boston Red Sox outfielder Wilyer Abreu followed with a solo home run in the fifth off United States starter Nolan McLean, a New York Mets prospect.[4]
The United States managed two hits total, including a single by Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Bryce Harper off New York Mets reliever Jose Butto in the sixth. Venezuela's bullpen held the lead until the bottom of the eighth, when Harper hit a two-run home run with two outs after a walk to Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr., tying the score at 2-2.
In the top of the ninth, against Boston Red Sox reliever Garrett Whitlock, Venezuela loaded the bases after a walk and stolen base by pinch-runner Javier Sanoja. Arizona Diamondbacks third baseman Eugenio Suárez then hit an RBI double to left-center for a 3-2 lead.
Chicago Cubs reliever Daniel Palencia closed the bottom of the ninth, striking out Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Kyle Schwarber, inducing a pop-up from Baltimore Orioles infielder Gunnar Henderson and striking out Boston Red Sox prospect Roman Anthony to secure the victory.
Sources
- MLB.com
MLB announces host sites for 2026 World Baseball Classic
August 18, 2024
https://www.mlb.com/news/mlb-announces-host-sites-for-2026-world-baseball-classic - Wikipedia
World Baseball Classic
Accessed October 2024
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Baseball_Classic - Baseball-Reference.com
Eduardo Rodriguez
Accessed October 2024
https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/rodried03.shtml - MLB.com
Wilyer Abreu
Accessed October 2024
https://www.mlb.com/player/wilyer-abreu-666742 - MLB.com
World Baseball Classic
Accessed October 2024
https://www.mlb.com/world-baseball-classic