Venezuela stunned the United States in the WBC final at LoanDepot Park in Miami on Tuesday night. Eugenio Suarez’s RBI double gave the Caribbean team its first major title in international play.
While the hit in the top of the ninth was certainly timely, it was the Venezuelan pitching staff’s prowess that powered the Latin American squad to a 3-2 win.
The juggernaut American offense could not bash Venezuela’s stellar bullpen. Venezuela got 4.1 innings from starter Eduardo Rodriguez. The Arizona Diamondbacks’ hurler surrendered just one hit and allowed a walk, while fanning four.
The plan was to get Rodriguez as far into the WBC final as possible, then turn it over to the bullpen. All told, Venezuela’s bullpen tossed 4.2 innings. But it was Bryce Harper’s two-out, two-run blast that tied the game.
Former Washington Nationals righthander Andres Machado surrendered the shot to Harper. The Americans had life, with a chance to win the game in the final frame.
In the ninth, Cincinnati Reds star Eugenio Suarez lit up Boston Red Sox hurler Garrett Whitlock with the winning hit.
It was then up to Chicago Cubs closer Daniel Palencia to round out the ninth. The righty saved his second game in as many nights, preserving Venezuela’s victory in the WBC final.
All told, the Venezuelan bullpen was money in the bank throughout the tournament. The relief corps preserved wins against Japan and Italy, while keeping the US in check.
US Could Not Get Bats Going in WBC Final
As for the United States, the lack of offense in the WBC final loomed large. The Americans could only muster three hits against the Venezuelan pitching staff, with Harper’s home run being the only significant hit in the game.
Harper managed to tie the game only because Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. walked with two outs. The extra runner aboard allowed the Philadelphia Phillies superstar to tie the game with one swing.
But the lack of baserunners and timely hitting will stand as the biggest reason why the US lost the WBC final.
It’s worth pointing out that US pitchers did their job, holding Venezuela to just six hits in the game. But as it often happens, one timely hit decides ballgames. That was the case in the WBC final, much to the chagrin of the Americans.
Venezuela Gets Major Victory
Venezuela’s victory in the WBC final validates what a solid ballclub it is. The team, composed almost entirely of Major Leaguers, showed impressive talent and resilience. The Caribbean squad had just one blip in their WBC journey. The loss to the Dominican Republic dropped the side to the runner-up position in its pool.
That situation made the road harder than it could have been. But it was a fitting ending to a tremendous tournament. The Latin American squad proved that unity and determination were the deciding factors in capturing a highly anticipated championship.
The celebration following their WBC final victory will soon give way to the start of the MLB regular season for several Venezuelan stars. It remains to be seen how well each champion will carry over their success to the Major League teams.
WBC Final: Venezuela Silences US Juggernaut