Eugenio Suárez, a Venezuelan third baseman for the Arizona Diamondbacks in Major League Baseball, was described in a draft report as hitting the 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 at loanDepot park in Miami, Florida, on March 17, 2026.[1][2]
The 2026 World Baseball Classic final is officially scheduled for March 21, 2026, at loanDepot park, home of the Miami Marlins, marking the first time the tournament final returns to Miami since 2013 and 2017.[3][4] As of the latest available data, the tournament has not yet taken place, with play set to begin March 5, 2026, featuring 20 national teams across pools in the United States, Japan, and Puerto Rico.[3][4]
Suárez, born December 6, 1991, in Puerto Ordaz, Venezuela, has represented his country in prior World Baseball Classics, including the 2023 edition where Venezuela competed in Pool B at loanDepot park but did not advance beyond the group stage.[1][2][5] The player is known for his power hitting, with 1,112 career MLB games entering 2024, primarily at third base.[1][2]
The draft report also referenced a semifinal win over Italy on March 16, 2026, a solo home run by Wilyer Abreu, a ninth-inning tie by Bryce Harper of the U.S., and a stolen base by Javier Sanoja ahead of Suárez's hit off Garrett Whitlock. These details, including the 3-2 score, two hits allowed to the U.S., and post-game quotes crediting faith and family, could not be independently verified against official records or reports, as the events post-date current confirmed information.[3][4]
Venezuela has never won the World Baseball Classic, with its best finish a runner-up in the 2009 inaugural tournament, losing 3-1 to Japan in the semifinals.[5][6] The U.S. claimed the 2023 title, defeating Japan 3-2 in the final.[5][6]
Sources
- MLB.com, "Eugenio Suárez Player Page", accessed October 2024, https://www.mlb.com/player/eugenio-suarez-570318
- Wikipedia, "Eugenio Suárez", accessed October 2024, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eugenio_Su%C3%A1rez
- WBSC.org, "World Baseball Classic 2026 to feature 20 national teams, super rounds in Houston and Tokyo, final in Miami", March 10, 2024, https://www.wbsc.org/en/news/world-baseball-classic-2026-to-feature-20-national-teams-super-rounds-in-houston-and-tokyo-final-in-miami
- MLB.com, "2026 World Baseball Classic Schedule, venues announced", March 10, 2024, https://www.mlb.com/news/world-baseball-classic-2026-schedule-venues-announced
- Baseball-Reference.com, "2023 World Baseball Classic", accessed October 2024, https://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/2023_World_Baseball_Classic
- WBSC.org, "WBSC History - World Baseball Classic", accessed October 2024, https://www.wbsc.org/en/world-baseball-classic/history
