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Venezuela’s dominant pitching and timely hitting shocked the United States, 3-2, to win the World Baseball Classic (WBC) title for the first time in team history.
Only the team from the United States, Japan and the Dominican Republic were able to qualify as WBC champions. Venezuela, riding the momentum of its semifinal victory over Italy on Monday night, had its eyes on history.
But no one could have expected what happened at LoanDepot Park in Miami, as the United States was held to just two hits and four total baserunners until a heroic moment from Bryce Harper made this a thrilling game in the end.
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Eugenio Suárez of Team Venezuela reacts after hitting an RBI double against Team United States in the ninth inning at LoanDepot Park on March 17, 2026 in Miami, Florida. (Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
Eduardo Rodriguez, the 33-year-old future left-hander from Venezuela, had pitched to a 5.02 ERA over the past two seasons with the Arizona Diamondbacks, but you wouldn’t think so given the way he lived in the corners and kept the U.S. team off-balance throughout his 4.1 inning start.
Rodriguez gave up just one single to Brice Turang, while recording four strikeouts, including two against Team USA captain Aaron Judge. He probably wanted to go longer given the rhythm he was in, but manager Omar Lopez pulled Rodriguez after 57 pitches. He received a standing ovation from the Venezuelan faithful as he headed to the dugout, where the bullpen was to take over.
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The Venezuelan relievers followed Rodriguez’s lead, continuing to confuse Team USA hitters, where only Bryce Harper managed to single against Jose Butto in the bottom of the sixth inning. But with Judge at the plate and an opportunity to shift momentum in favor of the United States, the captain found himself at third base to end the inning.
At the same time, Venezuela did not light up the scoreboard, but it managed to impose itself in key moments to make the score 2-0 at the start of the fifth set. Team USA starter Nolan McLean found himself with runners on first and second when he fired 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 USA during the fifth inning at LoanDepot Park on March 17, 2026 in Miami, Florida. (Al Bello/Getty Images)
Maikel Garcia heaved a fly ball to center field to get the first run at home plate in the top of the third inning, striking out to first as the U.S. team tried to figure out Rodriguez.
Then Boston Red Sox outfielder Wilyer Abreu missed a run on McLean’s fastball midway through the fifth, ripping it over the center field wall.
If Venezuela had any momentum before, there was no denying it as they sprinted around the bases like crazy, arriving at home plate as quickly as possible to celebrate the moment with their teammates while the crowd went wild.
But the funny thing about momentum is that it can change at any time, and that happened in the bottom of the eighth for Team USA.
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Bryce Harper entered the plate with two outs in the bottom of the eighth inning following a walk by Bobby Witt Jr.. At that point, Team USA had just two hits and four baserunners total, with no one past first base.
Harper was one of those American hits, and Andres Machado had just thrown his fifth straight ball to give him a batter’s count. The next pitch was a fastball right down the middle and Harper put his best swing on it.
Bryce Harper of Team USA celebrates with teammates after hitting a two-run home run against Team Venezuela in the eighth inning at LoanDepot Park on March 17, 2026 in Miami, Florida. (Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
As Harper watched the ball fly to deep center field, the crowd erupted, knowing the game was tied from the swing of the bat. Harper shouted as Team USA came out 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 showed the American flag on his left sleeve before touching home.
The United States desperately needed this moment given the way the game was going – after all, they only had four more outs left.
But Venezuela didn’t miss a beat in the top of the ninth inning, as Garrett Whitlock, who had been excellent 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’s pinch runner Javier Sanoja stole second base, Eugenio Suarez smashed a changeup to left-center field for a double to regain the lead.
Daniel Palencia got the call in the bottom of the ninth for Venezuela after knocking out Italy, and the Chicago Cubs agreed that would be the only time he could pitch.
Venezuela’s Wilyer Abreu (16) celebrates with teammates after hitting a home run during the fifth inning of the World Baseball Classic championship game against the United States, Tuesday, March 17, 2026, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
He capitalized on the opportunity by striking out Kyle Schwarber, popping Gunnar Henderson to Garcia and striking out Roman Anthony to seal an emotional victory for Venezuela.
