Eugenio Suárez hit a game-winning RBI double in the top of the ninth inning to lift 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 Gardens, Florida.[1]
Suárez, a third baseman for the Arizona Diamondbacks, drove a 3-2 changeup from U.S. pitcher Garrett Whitlock to left-center field with Javier Sanoja on second base after a steal. Earlier, Wilyer Abreu of the Boston Red Sox hit a solo home run for Venezuela, while Bryce Harper hit a home run off Andrés Machado in the bottom of the eighth to tie the score at 2-2.[1]
In a post-game interview with FOX Sports reporter Ken Rosenthal, Suárez credited his faith for the moment. "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. He added, "I just prayed at the time," after looking skyward from second base.[1]
The win marked Venezuela's first WBC championship. The country reached the final after defeating Italy on March 16 at the same venue, where Suárez hit a solo home run. The U.S. team entered with a strong lineup including Harper of the Philadelphia Phillies.[1]
The 2026 World Baseball Classic final was held at loanDepot park, home of the Miami Marlins, as part of the tournament's championship weekend schedule from March 5 to 18.[2][3] Venezuela's victory denied the U.S. a second title after runner-up finishes in 2023 and 2009.
Suárez, 34, born in Puerto Ordaz, Venezuela, has been a prominent player for his national team and in Major League Baseball since debuting with the Detroit Tigers in 2013. He batted .256 with 30 home runs for Arizona in 2023.[4][5]
Players from both teams will return to their MLB clubs ahead of the 2026 regular season opening day on March 26.[2]
Sources
- Fox News Digital, Sports coverage by Scott Thompson, accessed October 2024, https://www.foxnews.com/sports
- MLB.com, World Baseball Classic, accessed October 2024, https://www.mlb.com/worldbaseballclassic
- WBSC.org, World Baseball Classic 2026, accessed October 2024, https://www.wbsc.org/en/world-baseball-classic
- MLB.com, Eugenio Suárez player page, accessed October 2024, https://www.mlb.com/player/eugenio-suarez-570558
- Wikipedia, Eugenio Suárez, accessed October 2024, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eugenio_Su%C3%A1rez
