Venezuela beats U.S. 3-2, wins first World Baseball Classic title

"Venezuela won the World Baseball Classic for the first time, rebounding from a blown eighth-inning lead to beat the United States 3-2 Tuesday night on Eugenio Suarez's tiebreaking double in the ninth. Maikel Garcia's third-inning sacrifice fly and Wilyer Abreu's fifth-inning homer off rookie Nolan McLean built a 2-0 lead before a roaring pro-Latin America crowd."

"Bobby Witt Jr. walked with two outs in the eighth and Bryce Harper drove the second straight changeup from Andres Machado over the center-field fence for a two-run homer that tied it. Luis Arraez walked against Garrett Whitlock starting the ninth. Pinch-runner Javier Sanoja stole second just ahead of catcher Will Smith's throw and came home when Suarez doubled to the left-center gap."

"Nobody believed in Venezuela but now we win the championship. This is a celebration for all the Venezuelan country. Garcia was selected the tournament MVP after hitting .385 with seven RBIs. Despite a heralded roster of stars led by Aaron Judge, Harper and Paul Skenes, the U.S. lost its second straight final of baseball's premier international event."

Venezuela captured its first World Baseball Classic championship by overcoming a ninth-inning deficit to defeat the United States 3-2. Venezuela built an early 2-0 lead through Maikel Garcia's third-inning sacrifice fly and Wilyer Abreu's fifth-inning home run. The U.S. tied the game in the eighth when Bryce Harper hit a two-run homer off Andres Machado. In the ninth inning, Luis Arraez walked and pinch-runner Javier Sanoja stole second before scoring on Eugenio Suarez's double to left-center. Daniel Palencia closed out the game with a perfect bottom half, striking out two batters. Maikel Garcia earned tournament MVP honors after batting .385 with seven RBIs. The United States, despite its star-laden roster including Aaron Judge and Paul Skenes, lost its second consecutive World Baseball Classic final.

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