Venezuela surprised the international baseball landscape on Tuesday night, defeating Team USA, 3-2, in Miami. The Venezuelans won their first World Baseball Classic title, headlined by critical RBIs from Maikel Garcia, Wilyer Abreu and Eugenio Suarez.
While the United States was able to survive poor offensive performances in the quarterfinal against Canada and semifinal vs the Dominican Republic, the same cannot be said of their effort against Venezuela. Eduardo Rodriguez and the Venezuela bullpen shut the Americans down for much of the game. That includes nearly five shutout innings from Rodriguez. Check out our live coverage below for more highlights and analysis, including how Venezuela pulled off this minor upset.
Venezuela had Team USA on the ropes in early innings of WBC Final
Maikel Garcia hit a sacrifice fly to give Venezuela an early lead. That was followed up just a few innings later by a towering home run from Boston Red Sox outfielder Wilyer Abreu. Team Venezuela, which had one less day of rest and far worse starting pitcher in Eduardo Rodriguez, thoroughly outplayed the Americans for much of this game.
WILYER ABREU GOES YARD! pic.twitter.com/wG0Jn0OZVn
— World Baseball Classic (@WBCBaseball) March 18, 2026
Eduardo Rodriguez pitched nearly five innings of shutout ball, and the Venezuelan bullpen took it from there. Team USA's lineup, which has expected to be its strength entering this tournament, went quiet when it mattered most.
Bryce Harper's blast ties the WBC Final late for Team USA
Say what you want of Bryce Harper's effort in the World Baseball Classic, he made up for his lack of 'elite' play in the eighth inning against Venezuela. Harper hit a towering two-run bomb and nearly flipped his bat into the stands, showcasing some of the joy that's been missing from this Team USA squad since pool play.
BRYCE HARPER TIES THE GAME FOR TEAM USA! pic.twitter.com/zRVBaURBTm
— World Baseball Classic (@WBCBaseball) March 18, 2026
Unfortunately for Harper and Team USA, their excitement would only last a half inning, as Venezuela retook the lead shortly thereafter.
Eugenio Suarez makes Team USA's bullpen pay
Leadoff walks always score, as the old addage goes. Garrett Whitlock walked Luis Arraez to start the inning. Arraez was lifted for a pinch-runner shortly thereafter, who stole second base on a close play at the bag. Eugenio Suarez then drove in the winning run and sent the Venezuela dugout into a frenzy. It was a lead they would not relinquish.
EUGENIO SUÁREZ PUTS TEAM VENEZUELA AHEAD IN THE 9TH! pic.twitter.com/LtpLdYII5f
— World Baseball Classic (@WBCBaseball) March 18, 2026