Venezuela beats U.S. 3-2 to win first World Baseball Classic
Mar 18th 2026
Venezuela edged the United States 3-2 at LoanDepot Park on March 17, with a ninth inning RBI and a closing strikeout sealing the South American nation's first WBC championship.
- Venezuela defeated the United States 3-2 to claim its first World Baseball Classic title.
- Eugenio Suárez delivered the go-ahead RBI double in the top of the ninth after a leadoff walk.
- Daniel Palencia closed the game, finishing a three-hitter and striking out Roman Anthony for the final out.
- Bryce Harper hit a two-run, game-tying home run in the bottom of the eighth.
- The sellout crowd at LoanDepot Park was largely pro-Venezuela amid heightened political tensions after Nicolás Maduro's capture, and some fans booed American players during introductions.
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