USA Falls Short in World Baseball Classic Final

MIAMI, FL — Venezuela captured its first World Baseball Classic championship Tuesday night, scoring a go-ahead run in the ninth inning to defeat the United States 3-2 at LoanDepot Park.

The United States' Bryce Harper seemed to be the would-be hero for the USA when he delivered a 2-run shot to centerfield in the 8th, but it was not meant to be.

Just half an inning later, Venezuela's Eugenio Suárez delivered the decisive hit, lining a double into the left-center gap that scored Javier Sanoja and broke a 2-2 tie in the top of the ninth.

The victory marks Venezuela's first WBC Championship in the same year that they reached the final for the first time.

Venezuela took control early and held a 2-0 lead through much of the game. Salvador Pérez helped manufacture the opening run in the third inning, eventually scoring on a sacrifice fly by Maikel García. Wilyer Abreu extended the lead with a solo home run to begin the fifth.

Team USA struggled offensively against Venezuelan starter Eduardo Rodríguez, managing just two hits through six innings.

Nolan McLean started for the United States and allowed two runs over 4 2/3 innings before the bullpen took over. Rodríguez kept the U.S. lineup in check for most of his outing, striking out several hitters early and limiting scoring chances.

The United States suffered another disappointing loss for the second consecutive tournament. The Americans still seek their second World Baseball Classic title, despite appearing in the last three consecutive finals.