Eugenio Suárez hit a game-winning RBI double in the top of the ninth inning, lifting Venezuela to a 3-2 victory over the United States in the World Baseball Classic final on March 17, 2026, at loanDepot park in Miami, Florida, according to a Fox News Digital report.[1]
Suárez, a 33-year-old third baseman from Venezuela who plays for the Arizona Diamondbacks in Major League Baseball, drove a 3-2 changeup from U.S. pitcher Garrett Whitlock to left-center field, scoring Javier Sanoja from second base after a steal.[1][2][3] Suárez looked skyward from second base, later telling FOX Sports reporter Ken Rosenthal he had prayed in that moment.[1]
Bryce Harper of the Philadelphia Phillies hit a two-out home run off Andrés Machado in the bottom of the eighth to tie the score at 2-2, but Venezuela reclaimed the lead in the ninth. Wilyer Abreu, a Venezuelan outfielder with the Boston Red Sox, had earlier hit a solo home run to help build Venezuela's advantage.[1][4][5]
In a postgame interview with Rosenthal, Suárez credited his faith for the triumph: "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." 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]."[1]
The win marked Venezuela's first WBC title; the nation had previously advanced furthest to the quarterfinals in 2017, losing 3-0 to the U.S.[6][7] The tournament final took place at loanDepot park, home of the Miami Marlins and host site for the 2026 WBC championship round.[8][9]
Suárez had homered in Venezuela's previous game, a win over Italy on March 16 at the same venue.[1] He described his teammates as family: "The union – we are together the whole time. We’re not just teammates, we’re all family. ... That’s why this is a lot for us as players, as people, as human beings and as a Venezuelan. Now, we are the champions."[1]
Players from both teams will return to their MLB clubs as the 2026 regular season begins in late March.[8]
Sources
- Fox News Digital, "VENEZUELA SHOCKS TEAM USA TO WIN WORLD BASEBALL CLASSIC FOR FIRST TIME", March 18, 2026, https://www.foxnews.com/sports
- MLB.com, "Eugenio Suárez Player Page", Accessed October 2024, https://www.mlb.com/player/eugenio-suarez-501257
- Arizona Diamondbacks, "Eugenio Suárez", Accessed October 2024, https://www.mlb.com/dbacks/player/eugenio-suarez-501257
- MLB.com, "Wilyer Abreu Player Page", Accessed October 2024, https://www.mlb.com/player/wilyer-abreu-681734
- Boston Red Sox, "Wilyer Abreu", Accessed October 2024, https://www.mlb.com/redsox/player/wilyer-abreu-681734
- World Baseball Classic Official Site, "Past Tournaments", Accessed October 2024, https://www.worldbaseballclassic.com/
- MLB.com, "World Baseball Classic History", Accessed October 2024, https://www.mlb.com/world-baseball-classic
- MLB.com, "2026 World Baseball Classic Schedule", Accessed October 2024, https://www.mlb.com/news/2026-world-baseball-classic-dates-announced
- Miami Marlins, "loanDepot park", Accessed October 2024, https://www.mlb.com/marlins/ballpark
