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After breaking a 2-2 tie in the top of the ninth inning Tuesday night, Team Venezuela held on for a 3-2 victory over the United States that clinched the 2026 World Baseball Classic. It was the first WBC championship for Venezuela, keeping the USA from winning its second WBC title.
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The exhilaration seen on the faces of the Venezuela players as they celebrated was obvious… but did Venezuela win this tournament as much as the USA lost it?
The Unites States team was a heavy favorite going into this game. They got a big home run from Bryce Harper in the bottom of the eighth inning to tie Venezuela, but then Aaron Judge struck out looking. Cincinnati Reds infielder Eugenio Suarez doubled in the game-winning run for Venezuela in the top of the ninth.
Suarez is one of dozens of MLB stars that were not playing for the United States, but the USA was still favored to win this game. So…
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This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Mar 18, 2026, where it first appeared in the MLB section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.