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Venezuela’s dominant pitching and timely hitting stunned the United States, 3-2, to capture the World Baseball Classic (WBC) title for the first time in team history.
Only the US team, Japan and the Dominican Republic have been able to become WBC champions. Venezuela, riding the momentum of a semifinal victory over Italy on Monday night, had its eyes on history.
But no one could have expected what happened at CreditDepot Park in Miami, as the United States was held to just two hits and four total runners 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 USA during the ninth inning at CreditDepot Park on March 17, 2026 in Miami, Florida. (Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
Eduardo Rodríguez, the soon-to-be 33-year-old left-hander from Venezuela, had pitched to a 5.02 ERA the past two seasons with the Arizona Diamondbacks, but you wouldn’t think it from the way he lived in the corners and kept Team USA off balance during his 4.1 inning start.
Rodriguez allowed just one single to Brice Turang, while recording four strikeouts, including two from Team USA captain Aaron Judge. He probably wanted to last longer considering the pace he had, but manager Omar López pulled Rodríguez after 57 pitches. He received a standing ovation from the Venezuelan faithful as 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 confuse Team USA’s hitters, where only Bryce Harper was able to single off José Butto in the bottom of the sixth inning. But with Judge at the plate with a chance to shift the momentum in America’s favor, the captain grounded out to third base to end the inning.
At the same time, Venezuela was not lighting up the scoreboard, but was successful in key moments to make it 2-0 in the top of the fifth inning. Team USA starter Nolan McLean found himself with runners at first and second when he threw a curveball past catcher Will Smith, allowing the 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 Loan Depot Park on March 17, 2026 in Miami, Florida. (Al Bello/Getty Images)
Maikel García popped out to center field to get the first run across the 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 didn’t miss a single hit on McLean’s middle fastball in the top of the fifth, ripping it over the center-field wall.
If Venezuela had momentum earlier, there was no denying it as he ran around the bases like a madman, getting to the 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 change at any moment, and it came in the bottom of the eighth for Team USA.
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Bryce Harper stepped up to 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 total runners, with no one getting past first base.
Harper was one of those American hits, and Andrés Machado had just thrown his fifth consecutive ball to give him the batter’s count. The next pitch was a fastball right up the middle and Harper took his best swing at it.
Bryce Harper of Team USA celebrates with his 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)
As Harper watched the ball fly into deep center field, the crowd erupted, knowing the game was tied with the swing of the bat. Harper screamed as the Team USA dugout took the field to celebrate the home run that rejuvenated the entire American team. Harper saluted as he touched third base and pointed to the American flag on his left sleeve before touching home plate.
The United States desperately needed that moment considering how 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 had a big high-leverage role earlier in the tournament, didn’t look like his usual self. He walked to start the inning, and after Venezuela pinch-runner Javier Sanoja stole second base, Eugenio Suárez hit a changeup to left-center field for a go-ahead double to retake the lead.
Daniel Palencia was flagged in the bottom of the ninth inning for Venezuela after closing out Italy, and the Chicago Cubs agreed that this would be the only time he could pitch again.
Venezuelan 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 reach Garcia and striking out Roman Anthony to seal an emotional victory for Venezuela.
