Home World Baseball Classic Venezuela defeats U.S. 3-2 in World Baseball Classic final on Eugenio Suárez RBI double

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18 Mar 2026

Venezuela defeats U.S. 3-2 in World Baseball Classic final on Eugenio Suárez RBI double

Eugenio Suárez hit a game-winning RBI double in the ninth inning to lead 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.

The third baseman for Major League Baseball's Arizona Diamondbacks[1] drove a 3-2 changeup from U.S. pitcher Garrett Whitlock to left-center field after Javier Sanoja stole second base. Suárez pointed to the sky from second base and later explained he had prayed in the moment.[2]

Wilyer Abreu, an outfielder for the Boston Red Sox, hit a solo home run earlier to help extend Venezuela's lead. In the bottom of the eighth, Bryce Harper of the Philadelphia Phillies homered off Andrés Machado to tie the score at 2-2.

During a postgame interview with FOX Sports' Ken 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," Suárez said.

"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]," he added.

The win marked Venezuela's first World Baseball Classic title. The tournament, sanctioned by the World Baseball Softball Confederation, ran from March 5 to March 19, 2026.[3]

The night before the final, on March 16, Suárez hit a solo home run as Venezuela defeated Italy. U.S. batters managed just two hits through eight innings, with four total baserunners before Harper's homer.

Suárez described his teammates as family. "The union – we are together the whole time. We’re not just teammates, we’re all family. 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."

Players and coaches celebrated emotionally on the field at loanDepot park, home of the Miami Marlins.[2]