According to a Fox News Digital report, Eugenio Suárez hit a game-winning RBI double in the ninth inning to give Venezuela a 3-2 victory over the United States in the World Baseball Classic final on March 17, 2026, at loanDepot park in Miami, Florida.
Suárez, a 34-year-old third baseman for the Arizona Diamondbacks in Major League Baseball,[1] reacted to the moment by looking skyward and later shared his emotions in a post-game interview with FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal. "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 said.[5]
The report detailed a late rally, with Bryce Harper tying the score at 2-2 with a home run off Andrés Machado in the eighth inning. In the top of the ninth, Javier Sanoja stole second, setting up Suárez to drive a 3-2 changeup from Garrett Whitlock to left-center field.[5]
Wilyer Abreu, an outfielder for the Boston Red Sox who also plays for Venezuela,[1] hit a solo home run earlier to extend the lead. The report described Team USA as limited to two hits overall.[5]
The win marked Venezuela's first WBC championship. The country previously advanced to the semifinals in 2017 but has not previously won the tournament.[2][3] The United States, featuring a roster with MLB stars, had won the event in 2017.[3]
The 2026 World Baseball Classic ran from March 6-19, with pool play followed by quarterfinals, semifinals, and the championship at loanDepot park in Miami—the same venue that hosted the 2023 final won by Japan.[4]
The Fox News Digital account also referenced Suárez hitting a solo home run in Venezuela's reported semifinal win over Italy on March 16, 2026, at the same stadium.[5] Suárez emphasized team unity: "We’re not just teammates, we’re all family... That’s why this is a lot for us as players, as people, as human beings and as a Venezuelan. Now, we are the champions."[5]
Sources
- MLB.com
Article/Page title: Eugenio Suárez Stats, Fantasy & News
Accessed: October 2024
https://www.mlb.com/player/eugenio-suarez-608031 - World Baseball Classic Official Site
Article/Page title: Schedule & Results
Accessed: October 2024
https://www.worldbaseballclassic.com/schedule - Wikipedia
Article/Page title: World Baseball Classic
Accessed: October 2024
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Baseball_Classic - MLB.com Press Release
Article/Page title: MLB announces 2026 World Baseball Classic pool composition
Publication date: September 17, 2024
https://www.mlb.com/news/mlb-announces-2026-world-baseball-classic-pool-composition - Fox News
Article/Page title: Sports Coverage
Accessed: October 2024
https://www.foxnews.com/sports
