Eugenio Suárez hit a game-winning RBI double in the ninth inning to lift Venezuela to a 3-2 victory over the United States in the World Baseball Classic final at loanDepot park in Miami, Florida, on March 17, 2026.[1][2]
Suárez, a 34-year-old third baseman for the Arizona Diamondbacks in Major League Baseball, drove in Javier Sanoja from second base after Sanoja stole second. The hit came off a 3-2 changeup from Boston Red Sox pitcher Garrett Whitlock.[1]
Bryce Harper of the Philadelphia Phillies hit a two-run home run off Andrés Machado in the eighth inning to tie the score at 2-2 for the U.S.[1] Wilyer Abreu added a solo home run earlier for Venezuela.[1]
In a post-game interview with FOX Sports reporter Ken Rosenthal, Suárez credited his faith for the victory. "I mean, what can I say about this? It’s amazing. God is good, all the glory is for the Lord Jesus. He was with us the whole time," Suárez said.[1] He added, "We have to glorify, put his name in front of everything. Nobody believed in Venezuela, but now we [won] the championship today. This is a celebration for all [of Venezuela]."
Suárez pointed to the sky after the hit and later explained, "I just prayed at the time. I pointed to my family out there – they were happy for me. God is good, man. God is good."[1] He described his teammates as family, saying, "This team is awesome – we are family here. That’s why we play with passion, with love because we feel that on our jersey. We feel our country on the front of us."
The win marked Venezuela's first WBC title. The country had previously reached the semifinals in 2013 and 2017.[3][4] The 2026 tournament, the sixth edition organized by the World Baseball Softball Confederation, featured the final at loanDepot park, home of the Miami Marlins, following quarterfinals and semifinals there on March 17-18.[5][6]
Team USA was held to two hits in the game, according to reports.[1] Players will return to their MLB clubs ahead of the regular season.
Sources
- Fox News Digital; "VENEZUELA SHOCKS TEAM USA TO WIN WORLD BASEBALL CLASSIC FOR FIRST TIME"; March 18, 2026; https://www.foxnews.com/sports
- Getty Images; Match photos from loanDepot park; March 17, 2026; https://www.gettyimages.com/photos/world-baseball-classic
- World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC); "World Baseball Classic past results"; Accessed October 2024; https://www.wbsc.org/en/world-baseball-classic/past-tournaments
- Wikipedia; "World Baseball Classic" (historical results); Accessed October 2024; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Baseball_Classic
- World Baseball Softball Confederation (
