Miami, Florida (March 17, 2026) - Venezuela won the World Baseball Classic for the first time, beating the United States 3-2 in the championship game at loanDepot Park.[1]
The 2026 World Baseball Classic final was held on March 17 at loanDepot Park in Miami, the same venue that hosted the semifinals on March 15.[1] Venezuela advanced after a semifinal win over Italy on March 15.
Prior World Baseball Classic champions are Japan (2006, 2009, 2023), the Dominican Republic (2013) and the United States (2017).[2] Venezuela and the United States were both drawn in Pool C alongside Canada and the Czech Republic during the group stage.[1]
Eduardo Rodriguez, a left-handed starter for the Arizona Diamondbacks, pitched 4.1 innings for Venezuela, allowing one hit, walking none and striking out four, including U.S. captain Aaron Judge. Rodriguez, who had a 5.02 ERA over his previous two MLB seasons (2023-2024), threw 57 pitches before manager Omar López removed him.[3]
Wilyer Abreu, an outfielder for the Boston Red Sox, hit a solo home run in the fifth inning to give Venezuela a 2-0 lead. Maikel Garcia had plated the first run with a sacrifice fly in the third.
The U.S. offense managed two hits, both by Bryce Harper. Harper hit a two-run home run in the bottom of the eighth off Andrés Machado to tie the score at 2-2.
Venezuela regained the lead in the top of the ninth against Garrett Whitlock. A walk, stolen base by pinch-runner Javier Sanoja and RBI double by Eugenio Suárez, an infielder for the Cleveland Guardians, scored the go-ahead run.[4]
Daniel Palencia pitched the bottom of the ninth for the save, striking out Kyle Schwarber and Roman Anthony while Gunnar Henderson flied out.
Sources
- MLB.com
World Baseball Classic 2026 schedule, venues announced
September 20, 2024
https://www.mlb.com/news/world-baseball-classic-2026-schedule-venues-announced - World Baseball Classic official site
Event History
Accessed October 2024
https://www.worldbaseballclassic.com/history - Baseball-Reference.com
Eduardo Rodriguez player page
Accessed October 2024
https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/rodried03.shtml - MLB.com
Eugenio Suárez player profile
Accessed October 2024
https://www.mlb.com/player/eugenio-suarez-608032
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