Eugenio Suárez hit an RBI double in the top of the ninth inning at loanDepot park in Miami, Florida, on March 17, 2026, to give Venezuela a 3-2 victory over the United States in the World Baseball Classic final, securing the country's first title in the tournament.[1][2]
Suárez, a 34-year-old third baseman for the Arizona Diamondbacks in Major League Baseball, drove in Javier Sanoja from second base with a 3-2 changeup from U.S. pitcher Garrett Whitlock, according to a post-game interview with FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal.[1][3]
The game was tied at 2-2 after Bryce Harper hit a solo home run off Andrés Machado in the bottom of the eighth inning. Earlier, Wilyer Abreu hit a solo home run for Venezuela. Team USA managed only two hits in the game.[1]
The win capped a comeback for Venezuela, which had trailed after the U.S. tied the score. In the semifinal the previous day, March 16, 2026, at the same venue, Suárez hit a solo home run against Italy.[1]
Following the game, Suárez credited his faith. "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 told Rosenthal. He added that he prayed while standing on second base after the hit.[1]
"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]," Suárez said.[1]
Suárez described his teammates as family, emphasizing national pride. "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."[1]
The 2026 World Baseball Classic final was held at loanDepot park, home of the Miami Marlins and site of the semifinals and championship game March 17-21.[2][4] Venezuela had previously reached the quarterfinals as its best finish, including a loss to the U.S. in 2023.[2][5]
Players will return to their MLB clubs following the tournament, with spring training underway.[2]
Sources
- Fox News Digital, "Venezuela shocks Team USA to win World Baseball Classic for first time," by Scott Thompson, publication date not specified (draft context March 2026), https://www.foxnews.com/sports
- MLB.com, "2026 World Baseball Classic," accessed October 2024, https://www.mlb.com/worldbaseballclassic/2026
- MLB.com, "Eugenio Suárez Player Page," accessed October 2024, https://www.mlb.com/player/eugenio-suarez-570248
- Wikipedia, "LoanDepot park," accessed October 2024, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LoanDepot_park
- Wikipedia, "World Baseball Classic," accessed October 2024, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Baseball_Classic
