Venezuela defeats USA, wins first World Baseball Classic Championship | Baseball News

Star-studded Venezuela upset the host nation to win a politically charged encounter in Miami.

Venezuela captured the World Baseball Classic for the first time against tournament hosts the United States, 3-2, in a fiery final on Tuesday amid heightened political tensions.

Eugenio Suarez drove in the winning run in the top of the ninth inning, sealing the victory for Venezuela over an American lineup that was touted as baseball’s “Dream Team.”

After trailing for most of the game, Team USA got back into the contest when Bryce Harper hit a two-run homer in the eighth inning.

But Harper’s salvo was for naught as Venezuela took the lead in the ninth inning, punishing a shaky performance by USA reliever Garrett Whitlock to clinch the victory.

“What can I say, it’s great,” said Venezuela captain Suarez. “Nobody believed in Venezuela, but now we won the championship today. It’s a celebration for all the country of Venezuela.”

Suarez’s winning double settled in a raucous final at Londepot Park in Miami, with a large contingent of Venezuelan fans in a sellout crowd of 36,190 cheering Team USA on during pre-game introductions.

US President Donald Trump, who captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in a military coup in January, stoked tensions on Monday with a social media post congratulating Venezuela on reaching the final while suggesting the country could become the US’s “51st state”.

Trump returned to theme moments after Tuesday’s defeat, declaring in a post on his Truth social platform: “Statehood!!! President DJT.”

Venezuela’s interim leader, Delsy Rodríguez, replaced the ousted Maduro on Wednesday, declaring a “day of national celebration.”

“This victory is a victory of passion, talent and unity that define us as Venezuelans,” Rodriguez wrote in X.

“An achievement that will remain forever in the heart of our country. ¡VIVA Venezuela!”

Venezuela dominates

Venezuela, whose players were instructed by team management to avoid commenting on politics throughout the tournament, dominated the much-vaunted Team USA lineup for long periods of time as starting pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez, led by New York Yankees home run king Aaron Judge, stifled American batters.

The South Americans took the lead in the top of the third as USA opener Nolan McLean struggled for command from the mound.

Salvador Perez singled to get on base before Atlanta Braves star Ronald Acuna Jr. drew a walk.

A wild pitch from McLean left Venezuela with runners on second and third base, and on the next pitch, Kansas City Royals slugger Michael Garcia’s sacrifice fly allowed Perez to score.

With the USA bats continuing to swing against Rodriguez, the Venezuelan doubled their lead in the top of the fifth inning.

McLean delivered a four-seam fastball to the center of the strike zone, and Boston Red Sox left-fielder Vilier Abreu bounced right, smashing a 414-foot (126-meter) solo home run into center field for a 2–0 lead.

Venezuela appeared to be on its way to victory, but Harper’s 432-foot (132-meter) home run to center field off reliever Andres Machado was shocked in the eighth.

But the USA rally was short-lived, and Venezuela took the lead again in the ninth, when Suarez drew a lead-off walk from Luis Araj Whitlock to left center field to give Venezuela the winning run.

Closer Daniel Palencia removed Kyle Schwarber, Gunnar Henderson and Roman Anthony in quick succession to seal the victory for Venezuela.