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.<\/p>\n
Contesting its first WBC final, skipper Omar Lopez\u2019s squad bounced back from a blown eighth-inning lead at Miami\u2019s loanDepot park to get the better of a U.S. outfit making its third straight championship game appearance.<\/p>\n
Venezuela led 2-0 on Maikel Garcia\u2019s sacrifice fly and Wilyer Abreu\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
While playing as the designated visiting team, Venezuela enjoyed a home-game atmosphere, with significantly louder support from among the 36,190 in attendance.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe were visitors because we had a grey uniform, but we were feeling at home (because) there were more Venezuelan fans than American fans,\u201d said Garcia, named tournament MVP for his crucial role in all of Venezuela\u2019s knockout-stage victories, starting with its quarterfinal elimination of defending champion Japan.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe 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\u2019s why we were able to win this championship,\u201d the Kansas City Royals infielder said.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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\u2019s Orix Buffaloes.<\/p>\n
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).<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
While making \u201cno excuses\u201d 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.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think at the end of the day everybody comes in with \u2014 you know, it\u2019s early in spring training,\u201d DeRosa said. \u201cGuys are getting ready for the season. Eventually I think the tournament gets moved and I think the guys are in better form pitching-wise.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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\u2019s squad bounced […]<\/p>\n
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