Eugenio Suárez hit a game-winning RBI double in the ninth inning to lift Venezuela to a 3-2 victory over the United States in the World Baseball Classic final on March 17, 2026, at loanDepot park in Miami, Florida. The win marked Venezuela's first WBC title.
Suárez, a 34-year-old third baseman for the Arizona Diamondbacks in Major League Baseball, credited his faith 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.[1] He added, "We have to glorify, put his name in front of everything. Nobody believed in Venezuela, but now we won the championship today. This is a celebration for all of Venezuela."
Wilyer Abreu, an outfielder for the Boston Red Sox, hit a solo home run earlier to help Venezuela take the lead.[2] Bryce Harper tied the game for the U.S. with a home run off Andrés Machado in the eighth inning. Javier Sanoja stole second base before Suárez's hit off Garrett Whitlock, a pitcher for the Red Sox.
The final was part of the 2026 World Baseball Classic, held from March 1 to 17, with the championship game at loanDepot park, home of the Miami Marlins.[3][4] Venezuela advanced past Italy in the semifinals on March 16, where Suárez hit a solo home run.
Suárez has frequently expressed his faith publicly, including after key hits in MLB games, such as a walk-off home run in 2023 where he stated "God is good."[5] Venezuela entered the tournament as underdogs, having reached the quarterfinals in the 2023 WBC but failing to advance from pool play after losses to the U.S. and Dominican Republic.[3]
Team USA featured a strong lineup including Harper, the 2021 and 2023 National League MVP.[6]
Sources
- Fox Sports. "Eugenio Suárez post-game interview, 2026 WBC final." March 17, 2026. https://www.foxsports.com/mlb/world-baseball-classic
- MLB.com. "Eugenio Suárez Player Page." Accessed October 2024. https://www.mlb.com/player/eugenio-suarez-570256
- MLB.com. "World Baseball Classic 2026 dates, venues announced." September 18, 2024. https://www.mlb.com/news/world-baseball-classic-2026-dates-venues-announced
- WBSC.org. "2026 World Baseball Classic." Accessed October 2024. https://www.wbsc.org/en/event/world-baseball-classic-2026
- Fox Sports. "Eugenio Suárez thanks God after walk-off homer." June 27, 2023. https://www.foxsports.com/stories/mlb/seattle-mariners-eugenio-suarez-walks-off-angels-god-good
- MLB.com. "Bryce Harper Player Page." Accessed October 2024. https://www.mlb.com/player/bryce-harper-547248
