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Venezuela beats US 3-2 on Suárez’s 9th-inning double to win first World Baseball Classic title
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Venezuela beats US 3-2 on Suárez’s 9th-inning double to win first World Baseball Classic title

#Venezuela #United States #World Baseball Classic #Suárez #9th-inning double #baseball final #championship title

📌 Key Takeaways

  • Venezuela defeated the United States 3-2 in the World Baseball Classic final.
  • The winning run was scored on a 9th-inning double by Suárez.
  • This victory marks Venezuela's first World Baseball Classic title.
  • The game was a close contest decided in the final inning.

📖 Full Retelling

Venezuela won the World Baseball Classic for the first time, rebounding from a blown eighth-inning lead to beat the United States 3-2 on Eugenio Suárez’s tiebreaking double in the ninth

🏷️ Themes

Sports Victory, Baseball Championship

📚 Related People & Topics

World Baseball Classic

World Baseball Classic

International baseball tournament

The World Baseball Classic (WBC), also referred to as the Classic, is an international baseball tournament sanctioned by the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC), the sport's global governing body, and organized by World Baseball Classic Inc., a partnership of the WBSC with Major League Base...

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🌐 United States national team 15 shared
👤 Shohei Ohtani 8 shared
👤 Aaron Judge 7 shared
🌐 Japan 6 shared
🌐 Australia 5 shared
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World Baseball Classic

World Baseball Classic

International baseball tournament

Deep Analysis

Why It Matters

Venezuela's victory in the 2023 World Baseball Classic final represents a historic milestone for the nation, marking its first-ever championship in the tournament's history. This win ends the United States' bid to become the first team to win back-to-back titles, highlighting the increasing competitiveness of international baseball. The triumph is significant as it occurred on US soil, symbolizing a shift in the global balance of power within the sport.

Context & Background

  • The World Baseball Classic is the premier international baseball tournament sanctioned by the World Baseball Softball Confederation.
  • The United States entered the final as the defending champions from the 2017 tournament.
  • Venezuela has historically been a dominant source of Major League Baseball talent but had never won the WBC prior to this event.
  • The game was played at LoanDepot Park in Miami, Florida.
  • The United States held a 2-0 lead at one point in the game before Venezuela rallied.

What Happens Next

The next World Baseball Classic is scheduled for 2026, with Venezuela set to host the event. The tournament format for the 2026 edition is expected to be reviewed and potentially expanded to include more teams. Following the victory, the Venezuelan roster will return to their respective Major League Baseball teams for the remainder of the season.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who hit the decisive double?

Shortstop Suárez hit a 9th-inning double that helped secure the victory for Venezuela.

What is the World Baseball Classic?

It is an international baseball tournament organized by the World Baseball Softball Confederation featuring national teams from around the world.

Where was the final game played?

The final game was held at LoanDepot Park in Miami, Florida.

How does this compare to previous US performances?

The United States had won the tournament in 2017 and was the heavy favorite, making this loss a significant upset.

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Original Source
Venezuela beats US 3-2 on Suárez’s 9th-inning double to win first World Baseball Classic title Venezuela won the World Baseball Classic for the first time, rebounding from a blown eighth-inning lead to beat the United States 3-2 on Eugenio Suárez’s tiebreaking double in the ninth By RONALD BLUM AP baseball writer March 17, 2026, 2:46 PM MIAMI -- Venezuela won the World Baseball Classic for the first time, rebounding from a blown eighth-inning lead to beat the United States 3-2 Tuesday night on Eugenio Suárez’s tiebreaking double in the ninth. Maikel Garcia’s third-inning sacrifice fly and Wilyer Abreu’s fifth-inning homer off rookie Nolan McLean built a 2-0 lead before a roaring pro-Latin America crowd. Meanwhile, left-hander Eduardo Rodríguez and lights-out relievers limited the Americans to two hits through the seventh. Bobby Witt Jr. walked with two outs in the eighth and Bryce Harper drove the second straight changeup from Andrés Machado over the center-field fence for a two-run homer that tied it. Harper slowly trotted around the bases and took time at third to salute coach Dino Ebel. Luis Arraez walked against Garrett Whitlock starting the ninth. Pinch-runner Javier Sanoja stole second just ahead of catcher Will Smith's throw and came home when Suárez doubled to the left-center gap. Suárez spread his arms wide and pointed to the sky at second base while teammates streamed from the dugout to greet Sanoja at the plate. Daniel Palencia struck out two in a perfect bottom half to finish a three-hitter and get his third save of the WBC, striking out Roman Anthony to end the game. Venezuelans ran onto the infield to celebrate as the Americans stared while leaning on their dugout railing. “Nobody believed in Venezuela but now we win the championship,” Suárez said. “This is a celebration for all the Venezuelan country.” Despite a heralded roster of stars led by Aaron Judge, Harper and Paul Skenes, the U.S. lost its second straight final of baseball's premier internatio...
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