MIAMI, Florida, Mar 18 (Kyodo/APP): Venezuela won its first World Baseball Classic title on Tuesday, beating the United States 3-2 after Eugenio Suarez doubled in the go-ahead run in the top of the ninth inning.
Contesting its first WBC final, skipper Omar Lopez’s squad bounced back from a blown eighth-inning lead at Miami’s loanDepot park to get the better of a U.S. outfit making its third straight championship game appearance.
Venezuela led 2-0 on Maikel Garcia’s sacrifice fly and Wilyer Abreu’s solo bomb before Bryce Harper tied the game with his two-run homer in the bottom of the eighth, setting the stage for the thrilling ninth inning.
While playing as the designated visiting team, Venezuela enjoyed a home-game atmosphere, with significantly louder support from among the 36,190 in attendance.
“We were visitors because we had a grey uniform, but we were feeling at home (because) there were more Venezuelan fans than American fans,” said Garcia, named tournament MVP for his crucial role in all of Venezuela’s knockout-stage victories, starting with its quarterfinal elimination of defending champion Japan.
“We lost versus (pool-stage opponent) the Dominican Republic, but we beat Japan, Italy, and the U.S. in the final. We continued doing the small things, the details. That’s why we were able to win this championship,” the Kansas City Royals infielder said.
The South Americans kept the superstar U.S. lineup quiet for most of the contest, starter Eduardo Rodriguez leading the way with 4-1/3 shutout innings in which he fanned four while allowing just one hit and one walk.
Garcia broke the ice in the top of the third, scoring Salvador Perez with a sacrifice fly to center field. Abreu doubled the lead with his second home run of the tournament as he led off the fifth against U.S. starter Nolan McLean.
Down to just four outs in the tournament, Philadelphia Phillies slugger Harper brought his team back to life with his 432-foot bomb to center field off right-hander Andres Machado, a reliever for Japan’s Orix Buffaloes.
The tie was short-lived, however. The next inning, Luis Arraez reached on a walk and pinch runner Javier Sanoja stole second base before Suarez brought him home with a line-drive double to center field off right-hander Garrett Whitlock (0-1).
Closer Daniel Palencia got the save with a 1-2-3 bottom half, striking out Roman Anthony swinging to seal the championship, while Machado (1-0) was credited for the win.
New York Yankees superstar Aaron Judge went 0-for-4 for a U.S. lineup that mustered just three hits, two of them from Harper.
While making “no excuses” for the loss, U.S. manager Mark DeRosa said he hoped to see the WBC moved out of the major league preseason to a time of year when players were in better condition.
“I think at the end of the day everybody comes in with — you know, it’s early in spring training,” DeRosa said. “Guys are getting ready for the season. Eventually I think the tournament gets moved and I think the guys are in better form pitching-wise.”
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