Suarez leads Venezuela past USA for first World Baseball Classic title

MIAMI, March 18 (UPI) — Venezuelan fans detonated in ecstasy as Eugenio Suarez golfed a ninth-inning double through a gap in left center field, driving in what proved to be the game-winning run against Team USA in the World Baseball Classic finale Tuesday in Miami.

They continued to roar as relief pitcher Daniel Palencia retired the Americans for the final three outs to secure the 3-2 triumph and their first tournament crown.

“Nobody believed in Venezuela, but now we won the championship,” Suarez, who signed this off-season with the Cincinnati Reds, said on the Fox broadcast. “This is a celebration for all of Venezuela.”

Arizona Diamondbacks starter Eduardo Rodriguez and the Venezuelan bullpen held the electric American bats to just three hits.

New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge, Philadelphia Phillies designated hitter Kyle Schwarber, Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr., Chicago Cubs third baseman Alex Bregman, Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Will Smith and Boston Red Sox outfielder Roman Anthony went a combined 0 for 19 for Team USA.

Venezuela pitcher Daniel Palencia celebrates a win over Team USA in the World Baseball Classic finale Tuesday at loanDepot park in Miami. Photo by Michael Laughlin/UPI

“This is for our country,” said Rodriguez, who allowed one hit and no runs over the first 4 1/3 innings. “They’ve been pushing us and helping us to get here.”

Royals infielder Maikel Garcia drew first blood with an RBI sacrifice fly in the top of the third. The Venezuelans added to their lead when Red Sox outfielder Wilyer Abreu smacked a 414-foot solo homer on New York Mets starter Nolan McLean’s second pitch of the fifth inning.

Venezuela designated hitter Eugenio Suarez (L) reacts after hitting an RBI double in front of Team USA second baseman Brice Turang during the ninth inning of the World Baseball Classic finale Tuesday at loanDepot park in Miami. Photo by Michael Laughlin/UPI

Team USA put runners on base in four of five innings after Garcia’s initial RBI, but didn’t cross the plate until Phillies slugger Bryce Harper provided heroics in the bottom of the eighth.

Relief pitcher Andres Machado struck out Milwaukee Brewers second baseman Brice Turang and forced a groundout from Cubs outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong to start the half inning.

Venezuela outfielder Javier Sanoja (4) celebrates scoring a run with teammates during the ninth inning of the World Baseball Classic finale Tuesday at loanDepot park in Miami. Photo by Michael Laughlin/UPI

He then walked Witt, brining Harper to the plate. The Phillies first baseman then clobbered a hanging changeup, sending the pitch over the center field fence for a game-tying, 432-foot home run.

But the Venezuelans grabbed back momentum immediately.

Team USA first baseman Bryce Harper reacts after hitting a home run against Venezuela in the eighth inning of the World Baseball Classic finale Tuesday at loanDepot park in Miami. Photo by Michael Laughlin/UPI

Red Sox relief pitcher Garrett Whitlock walked San Francisco Giants second baseman Luis Arraez to start the ninth. Suarez worked the count full in the next at-bat. He hit Whitlock’s seventh offering of that exchange to left center, scoring pinch runner Javier Sanoja from second base for the game-winning run.

Palencia capped off the performance by retiring Schwarber, Baltimore Orioles infielder Gunnar Henderson and Anthony in order in the bottom of the final frame.

Harper, who went 2 for 4 with two RBIs and a run scored, was the lone American to reach base more than once. McLean allowed four hits and two runs over 4 2/3 innings.

Colorado Rockies shortstop Ezequiel Tovar went 2 for 4 in the victory. Garcia, who went 0 for 3 with an RBI, received tournament MVP honors. He hit .385 with two doubles, a home run, three stolen bases and seven RBIs over seven tournament games.

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