Venezuela stuns USA
Venezuela beat the USA 3–2 to claim a historic WBC final win — the result was flagged as one of this week’s major sports headlines and reshapes international baseball narratives (x.com).
The championship was played March 17, 2026, at loanDepot Park in Miami in front of 36,190 spectators. (espn.com) Eugenio Suárez produced the decisive blow with a go‑ahead, RBI double in the top of the ninth off Garrett Whitlock, ripping an 83‑mph changeup into the left‑center gap on the seventh pitch of the at‑bat. (espn.com) Luis Arráez walked to start the ninth, Javier Sanoja entered as his pinch‑runner and promptly stole second to put the potential winning run in scoring position with no outs. (espn.com) Team USA’s only late offense came from Bryce Harper, whose two‑run, 432‑foot homer to dead center off Venezuela reliever Andrés Machado tied the game in the bottom of the eighth. (espn.com) Venezuelan starter Eduardo Rodríguez worked 4.1 innings, allowing one hit and recording four strikeouts on 57 pitches, while the Venezuela bullpen combined to hold the U.S. to three total hits. (espn.com) Chicago Cubs prospect Daniel Palencia retired the side 1‑2‑3 in the ninth with two strikeouts to register the save and finish a three‑hit game for Venezuela. (espn.com) Kansas City’s Maikel García was named tournament MVP after a 10‑for‑26 (.385) WBC performance that included one home run, two doubles and seven RBIs. (foxsports.com)
