Venezuela won the World Baseball Classic for the first time, beating the United States 3-2 in the championship game on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, at loanDepot park in Miami, Florida. The tournament concluded its 2026 edition on that date, with the final hosted at the Miami Marlins' stadium.[1][2]
Prior to Venezuela's victory, the WBC titles had been won by Japan in 2006, 2009 and 2023, the Dominican Republic in 2013, and the United States in 2017. Venezuela reached the final after defeating Italy in the semifinals the previous night.[2]
Eduardo Rodriguez, a 32-year-old left-handed pitcher for the Arizona Diamondbacks, started for Venezuela and pitched 4.1 innings. He allowed one hit, walked none, struck out four—including two against United States captain Aaron Judge—and threw 57 pitches before being relieved.[3]
Venezuela took a 2-0 lead into the fifth inning. Maikel Garcia drove in the first run with a sacrifice fly in the third. Wilyer Abreu, an outfielder for the Boston Red Sox, hit a solo home run in the fifth off United States starter Nolan McLean.[4]
Bryce Harper, first baseman for the Philadelphia Phillies, hit a two-run home run in the bottom of the eighth with two outs, tying the score at 2-2 after Bobby Witt Jr. had walked. Venezuela regained the lead in the top of the ninth when Eugenio Suárez, third baseman for the Arizona Diamondbacks, hit an RBI double off Garrett Whitlock following a walk and stolen base.[3][4]
Daniel Palencia pitched the bottom of the ninth for Venezuela, striking out Kyle Schwarber, inducing a pop-up from Gunnar Henderson, and striking out Roman Anthony to close out the win.
Sources
- MLB.com, "World Baseball Classic 2026 dates and venues announced", February 16, 2024, https://www.mlb.com/news/world-baseball-classic-2026-dates-and-venues-announced
- Wikipedia, "World Baseball Classic", accessed October 2024, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Baseball_Classic
- MLB.com, "Eduardo Rodriguez", 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-690928
- MLB.com, "Eugenio Suárez", accessed October 2024, https://www.mlb.com/player/eugenio-suarez-608567