Venezuela won its first World Baseball Classic championship Tuesday, defeating the tournament favorite United States 3-2 in the final.
The game was tied 2-2 headed into the ninth inning before Venezuela pulled back in front. Luis Arráez walked to start the inning, then Javier Sanoja stole second after he came in as a pinch runner. Eugenio Suárez drove home the go-ahead run with a double to left center, and then Daniel Palencia retired the side in order in the bottom of the ninth to clinch the title.
Team USA was the favorite to win entering the WBC, but its star-studded lineup went silent for much of its final two games. After it beat the Dominican Republic 2-1 in a controversial semifinal, the U.S. could once again muster only two runs in the final. It had only three hits in the losing effort.
Venezuela opened the scoring in the third inning with a Maikel Garcia sacrifice fly. The Venezuelan bats were live early, recording a hit in each of the first three innings. The South Americans added to their lead in the fifth courtesy of a 414-foot solo homer to center from Wilyer Abreu.
It was largely a bullpen game for Venezuela, but starter Eduardo Rodríguez was fantastic. A pro since 2015, Rodriguez had arguably the finest start of his life. He struck out four and allowed only one hit through 4 1/3 innings, handing a 2-0 lead over to his bullpen.
The U.S. didn’t get a runner on base until the third inning and never threatened Venezuela by putting a leadoff batter on base.
Team USA was in danger of being held scoreless until the bottom of the eighth. After a two-out walk by Bobby Witt Jr., Bryce Harper launched a 434-foot homer to center to tie the game.
After Harper breathed life into the U.S., Aaron Judge couldn’t conjure any magic of his own, striking out to end the eighth. Judge, the reigning American League MVP, finished the night 0 for 4 with three strikeouts and a groundout that stranded a runner on base. Over his last two games, Judge finished with only one hit, compared with six strikeouts.
Playing in the championship game for the first time, Venezuela now takes home its first gold medal, as well. It was an impressive run through the knockout stage for the Venezuelans, who defeated defending champ Japan in the quarterfinals, then beat a hot Italy squad in the semifinals.
The U.S. struggled over its last few games, scoring only nine runs across its final three games. It has not won the World Baseball Classic since 2017 and will now have to wait at four more years for a shot at redemption.
