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Venezuela’s dominant pitching and timely hitting shocked the United States, 3-2, to capture the World Baseball Classic (WBC) title for the first time in team history.
Only Team USA, Japan and the Dominican Republic have been able to call themselves WBC champions. Venezuela, using their momentum from a semi-final win over Italy on Monday night, had their eyes on history.
But no one could have expected what happened at loanDepot Park in Miami, when the USA was held to just two hits and four total baserunners until a heroic moment by Bryce Harper made this a thrilling game at the end.
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Eugenio Suárez of Team Venezuela reacts after hitting an RBI double against Team United States during the ninth inning at loanDepot park on March 17, 2026 in Miami, Florida. (Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
Eduardo Rodriguez, the soon-to-be 33-year-old Venezuelan left-hander, had pitched to a 5.02 ERA over the last two seasons with the Arizona Diamondbacks, but you wouldn’t believe it the way he lived on the corners and kept Team USA off balance throughout his 4.1 inning start.
Rodriguez gave up just a single to Brice Turang while striking out four, including two off Team USA captain Aaron Judge. He probably wanted to go longer given how much of a rhythm he was in, but manager Omar Lopez pulled Rodriguez after 57 pitches. He received a standing ovation from the faithful in Venezuela when he headed to the dugout where the bullpen had to take over.
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Venezuela’s relievers followed Rodriguez’s lead and continued to baffle Team USA hitters, with only Bryce Harper able to muster a single off Jose Butto in the bottom of the sixth inning. But with Judge at the plate with a chance to turn the momentum in the USA’s favor, the captain grounded out to third base to end the inning.
Meanwhile, Venezuela didn’t light up the scoreboard, but they rallied in key moments and made it 2-0 in the top of the fifth inning. Team USA starter Nolan McLean found himself with runners on first and second when he flicked a curveball past catcher Will Smith, allowing those Venezuelans to advance into scoring position.
Wilyer Abreu of Team Venezuela rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run against Team United States during the fifth inning at loanDepot park on March 17, 2026 in Miami, Florida. (Al Bello/Getty Images)
Maikel Garcia lofted a ball to center field to get the first run across home plate in the top of the third inning, striking first as Team USA tried to figure out Rodriguez.
Then Boston Red Sox outfielder Wilyer Abreu missed a jab at McLean’s center field fastball in the top of the fifth, ripping it over the center field wall.
If Venezuela had the momentum before, there was no doubting it as he sprinted around the bases like a madman and got to home plate as quickly as possible to celebrate the moment with his teammates as the crowd went wild.
But the funny thing about momentum is that it can shift at any time, and it came in the bottom of the eighth for Team USA.
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Bryce Harper stepped to the plate with two outs in the bottom of the eighth inning after a Bobby Witt Jr. walk. At that point, Team USA had just two hits and four total baserunners, with none getting past first base.
Harper was one of the American hits, and Andres Machado had just thrown his fifth straight ball to give him a strikeout. The next pitch was a fastball right down the middle and Harper put his best swing on it.
Bryce Harper of Team United States celebrates with teammates after hitting a two-run home run against Team Venezuela during the eighth inning at loanDepot Park on March 17, 2026 in Miami, Florida. (Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
When Harper saw the ball fly to deep center field, the crowd erupted, knowing the game was tied by the batter. Harper screamed as the Team USA dugout came onto the field to celebrate the home run that rejuvenated the entire American team. Harper gave a salute as he touched third base, and he pointed to the American flag on his left sleeve before touching home.
The US desperately needed that moment given how the game was going – after all, they were down to just four more outs.
But Venezuela didn’t skip a beat in the top of the ninth inning when Garrett Whitlock, who had been terrific in a high-leverage role earlier in the tournament, didn’t look like his usual self. He issued a walk to start the inning, and after Venezuela pinch runner Javier Sanoja stole second base, Eugenio Suarez smashed a changeup to left-center field for a go-ahead double to retake the lead.
Daniel Palencia got the call in the bottom of the ninth for Venezuela after shutting out Italy, and the Chicago Cubs agreed that this would be the only moment he could pitch again.
Venezuela’s Wilyer Abreu (16) celebrates with his teammates after hitting a home run during the fifth inning of the championship game of the World Baseball Classic against the United States, Tuesday, March 17, 2026, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
He made the most of the opportunity, striking out Kyle Schwarber, getting Gunnar Henderson to pop up Garcia and striking out Roman Anthony to secure an emotional win for Venezuela.
