Venezuela defeats the USA to win the first World Baseball Classic championship
Venezuela defeated the star-studded host nation in a politically tense duel in Miami.
Venezuela won the World Baseball Classic for the first time on Tuesday, defeating tournament hosts the United States 3-2 in a tight final played amid political tensions.
Eugenio Suarez drove home the winning run in the top of the ninth inning, securing Venezuela’s victory over an American lineup dubbed a baseball “dream team.”
After trailing for most of the game, Team USA appeared to have rallied when Bryce Harper hit a game-tying two-run homer in the eighth inning.
But Harper’s barrage was in vain, as Venezuela recovered the lead in the ninth inning, punishing a weak performance by USA reliever Garrett Whitlock to seal the victory.
“What can I say? It’s amazing,” Venezuelan star Suarez said.This is a celebration for the entire Venezuelan country.”
Suarez’s winning double ended a tumultuous final at Miami’s LoanDepot Park, where a sizable contingent of Venezuela fans in a sold-out crowd of 36,190 booed the USA lineup during pre-game introductions.
US President Donald Trump, whose government apprehended Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in a military raid in January, stoked tensions on Monday with a social media post congratulating Venezuela on reaching the final while also implying that the country could become the US’s “51st state.”
Trump returned to the issue shortly after Tuesday’s defeat, stating in a post on his Truth Social platform, “STATEHOOD. “President DJT.”
Venezuela dominates
Venezuela, whose players had been advised by team management to refrain from discussing politics throughout the tournament, dominated the renowned Team USA lineup for long stretches, with starting pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez suffocating American batters led by New York Yankees home run king Aaron Judge.
The South Americans took the lead in the third inning as USA starter Nolan McLean struggled to maintain composure on the mound.
Salvador Perez singled to reach base before Atlanta Braves star Ronald Acuna Jr. earned a walk.
McLean’s wild pitch put Venezuela’s runners on second and third base, and Kansas City Royals slugger Maikel Garcia’s sacrifice fly allowed Perez to score.
With the US hitters continuing to struggle against Rodriguez, the Venezuelans doubled their lead in the top of the fifth inning.
McLean threw a four-seam fastball into the center of the strike zone, and Boston Red Sox left fielder Wilyer Abreu pounced, slamming a 414-foot (126-meter) solo home run to center field for a 2-0 advantage.
Venezuela appeared to be on their way to win until Harper hit a 432-foot (132-meter) home run to center field off reliever Andres Machado in the eighth inning.
However, the USA rally was short-lived, and Venezuela regained the lead in the ninth when Luis Arraez drew a lead-off walk from Whitlock, followed by Suarez’s bomb to left center field for the winning run.
Closer Daniel Palencia struck out Kyle Schwarber, Gunnar Henderson, and Roman Anthony in quick succession to secure Venezuela’s victory.