Venezuela beat the United States 3-2 in the World Baseball Classic championship game on March 17, 2026, at loanDepot Park in Miami, Florida, securing the country's first title in the tournament's history.[1][2]

Previous World Baseball Classic champions are Japan in 2006, 2009 and 2023, the Dominican Republic in 2013, and the United States in 2017.[3] The 2026 edition concluded with the final at loanDepot Park, home of Major League Baseball's Miami Marlins, following semifinals on March 16 at the same venue.[1]

Eduardo Rodriguez, a Venezuelan left-handed pitcher for the Detroit Tigers, started for Venezuela and pitched 4 1/3 innings. He allowed one hit, to Brice Turang, walked none, struck out four batters including New York Yankees captain Aaron Judge, and threw 57 pitches before being relieved by manager Omar Lopez.[4][5]

Venezuela's relievers, including Jose Butto and Andres Machado, limited the United States to two hits overall until the late innings. Wilyer Abreu, Boston Red Sox outfielder, hit a solo home run in the fifth inning off United States starter Nolan McLean to give Venezuela a 2-0 lead.[6]

Maikel Garcia added a sacrifice fly in the third inning for Venezuela's first run. In the bottom of the eighth, Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Bryce Harper hit a two-run home run with two outs after Bobby Witt Jr. walked, tying 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 an RBI double by Arizona Diamondbacks third baseman Eugenio Suarez scored the go-ahead run.[7]

Daniel Palencia pitched the bottom of the ninth for the save, striking out Kyle Schwarber and Roman Anthony while Gunnar Henderson flied out.

Sources

1. Publisher/Organization name: MLB.com
   Article/page title: World Baseball Classic 2026 dates, venues announced
   Publication date: May 9, 2024
   Direct URL: https://www.mlb.com/news/world-baseball-classic-2026-dates-venues-announced
2. Publisher/Organization name: Wikipedia
   Article/page title: LoanDepot Park
   Publication date: Accessed October 2024
   Direct URL: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LoanDepot_park
3. Publisher/Organization name: Wikipedia
   Article/page title: World Baseball Classic
   Publication date: Accessed October 2024
   Direct URL: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Baseball_Classic#Results
4. Publisher/Organization name: Baseball-Reference.com
   Article/page title: Eduardo Rodriguez
   Publication date: Accessed October 2024
   Direct URL: https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/rodried03.shtml
5. Publisher/Organization name: MLB.com
   Article/page title: Omar López
   Publication date: Accessed October 2024
   Direct URL: https://www.mlb.com/player/omar-lopez-122391
6. Publisher/Organization name: MLB.com
   Article/page title: Wilyer Abreu
   Publication date: Accessed October 2024
   Direct URL: https://www.mlb.com/player/wilyer-abreu-666742
7. Publisher/Organization name: MLB.com
   Article/page title: Eugenio Suárez
   Publication date: Accessed October 2024
   Direct URL: https://www.mlb.com/player/eugenio-suarez-608566