Venezuela stun USA to win politically charged World Baseball crown
Venezuela scored a stunning 3-2 upset over the United States to capture the World Baseball Classic for the first time on Tuesday in a tense final played out against a backdrop of political tensions.
Eugenio Suarez drove in the winning run in the top of the ninth inning to seal victory for Venezuela over a star-studded American line-up which had been hyped as a baseball "dream team".
Trailing for most of the game, the USA looked to have hauled themselves back into the contest when Bryce Harper blasted a game-tying two-run homer in the eighth inning.
But Harper's salvo proved to be in vain as Venezuela regained the lead in the ninth inning, punishing a shaky performance from US reliever Garrett Whitlock to clinch victory.
"What can I say, it's amazing," Venezuela hero Suarez said. "Nobody believed in Venezuela but now we win the championship today. This is a celebration for all the Venezuelan country."
Suarez's winning double settled a final that had got under way in a raucous atmosphere at Miami's LoanDepot Park, with a large contingent of Venezuela fans in a sold out crowd of 36,190 booing the USA lineup during pre-game introductions.
US President Donald Trump, whose government captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in a military raid in January, had stoked tensions with a social media post on Monday, congratulating Venezuela for reaching the final while simultaneously suggesting the country could become the USA's "51st state."
Trump again returned to the theme moments after Tuesday's defeat, declaring in a post on his Truth Social platform: "STATEHOOD!!! President DJT."
Venezuela's interim leader Delcy Rodriguez -- who replaced the ousted Maduro -- meanwhile declared a "national day of jubilation" on Wednesday.
"This triumph is the victory of the passion, talent and unity that define us as Venezuelans," Rodriguez wrote on X.
"An achievement that will remain forever in the heart of our country. ¡VIVA VENEZUELA!"
- Venezuela dominate -
Venezuela, whose players had been instructed by team management to avoid commenting on politics throughout the tournament, dominated the vaunted USA lineup for long periods, with starting pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez stifling the USA bats led by New York Yankees home run king Aaron Judge.
The South Americans took the lead in the top of the third as US starter 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 Maikel Garcia's sacrifice fly allowed Perez to score.
With the USA bats continuing to flail against Rodriguez, the Venezuelans doubled their lead in the top of the fifth inning.
McLean delivered a four-seam fastball into the center of the strike zone and Boston Red Sox left-fielder Wilyer Abreu duly pounced, crushing a 414-foot solo home run to center field for a 2-0 lead.
Venezuela appeared to be closing in on victory but were jolted by Harper's 432-foot home run to center field off reliever Andres Machado in the eighth.
But the USA rally was short-lived, and Venezuela grabbed the lead again in the ninth when Luis Arraez drew a leadoff walk from Whitlock before Suarez's blast to left center field gave Venezuela the winning run.
Closer Daniel Palencia removed Kyle Schwarber, Gunnar Henderson and Roman Anthony in quick succession to seal Venezuela's triumph.
(Y.Ignatiev--DTZ)
Featured