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 championship game on March 17, 2026, at loanDepot park in Miami Gardens, Florida.[1]
The 2026 WBC concluded at the Miami Marlins' home stadium, which was selected as the championship venue when Major League Baseball announced the tournament schedule in June 2024.[1] Venezuela claimed its first WBC title, surpassing its previous best finishes of fourth place in 2009 and semifinals in 2023.[2][3]
Suárez, a 34-year-old third baseman for the Arizona Diamondbacks, drove in Javier Sanoja—who had stolen second base—with a 3-2 changeup from U.S. pitcher Garrett Whitlock.[4] The hit followed Bryce Harper's solo home run in the bottom of the eighth off Andrés Machado that tied the score at 2-2.
Wilyer Abreu, an outfielder for the Boston Red Sox, hit a solo home run earlier to help Venezuela take the lead.[5] The U.S. managed only two hits in the game, according to match reports.
In a post-game interview with FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal, 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."
Suárez added: "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]."
The Venezuelan third baseman had homered in the semifinal victory over Italy on March 16 at the same venue. He described his teammates as family: "The union – we are together the whole time. We’re not just teammates, we’re all family."
"I just prayed at the time," Suárez said of looking skyward after the double. "I pointed to my family out there – they were happy for me. God is good, man. God is good."
Sources
- MLB.com
2026 World Baseball Classic dates, teams, venues announced
June 17, 2024
https://www.mlb.com/news/2026-world-baseball-classic-dates-venues-announced - WBSC.org
World Baseball Classic past results
Accessed October 2024
https://www.wbsc.org/en/world-baseball-classic - Wikipedia
Venezuela national baseball team
Accessed October 2024
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Venezuela_national_baseball_team - MLB.com
Eugenio Suárez player profile
Accessed October 2024
https://www.mlb.com/player/eugenio-suarez-570558 - MLB.com
Wilyer Abreu player profile
Accessed October 2024
https://www.mlb.com/player/wilyer-abreu-681736
