Eugenio Suárez hit a game-winning RBI double in the ninth inning to lift Venezuela to a 3-2 victory over the United States in the World Baseball Classic final at loanDepot park in Miami, Florida, on March 17, 2026. The win marked Venezuela's first title in the tournament's history.[1]
Suárez, a 34-year-old third baseman from Venezuela who plays for the Detroit Tigers in Major League Baseball, drove in Javier Sanoja from second base with a 3-2 changeup from U.S. pitcher Garrett Whitlock. Suárez pointed to the sky after reaching second base.[2]
Bryce Harper had tied the game at 2-2 for the U.S. with a home run off Andrés Machado in the bottom of the eighth. Wilyer Abreu earlier hit a solo home run for Venezuela. Team USA managed only two hits in the game.
In a post-game interview with FOX Sports' 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 that he prayed while standing on second base and pointed to his family in the stands.[3]
"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. The previous night, on March 16, Suárez hit a solo home run in Venezuela's win over Italy.
The victory came at loanDepot park, which hosted the semifinals and final of the 2026 World Baseball Classic, as it did in 2023.[1][4] Venezuela's players and coaches celebrated emotionally on the field, with Suárez calling the team "family." Players will now return to their MLB clubs ahead of the regular season.
Sources
- World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC)
World Baseball Classic 2026 venues finalized with Miami hosting semifinals and final once again
May 17, 2024
https://www.wbsc.org/en/news/world-baseball-classic-2026-venues-finalized-with-miami-hosting-semifinals-and-final-once-again - MLB.com
Eugenio Suárez player page
Accessed October 2024
https://www.mlb.com/player/eugenio-suarez-608032 - Fox Sports
Ken Rosenthal profile / World Baseball Classic coverage
Accessed October 2024
https://www.foxsports.com/person/ken-rosenthal-39948 - Baseball-Reference.com
Eugenio Suárez player stats
Accessed October 2024
https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/suareeu01.shtml