The United States lost the World Baseball Classic final 3-2 to Venezuela on March 17, 2026, at loanDepot Park in Miami, Florida, earning silver medals as runners-up.[1][2] The tournament, held every four years since 2006, concluded with its championship game at the Miami Marlins' home stadium, which also hosted the 2023 final.[3][4]

During the medal ceremony, MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred presented silver medals to the U.S. team, managed by Mark DeRosa. Several players quickly removed their medals: Oakland Athletics closer Mason Miller took his off before embracing DeRosa; Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Kyle Schwarber removed his upon reaching the dugout steps; San Francisco Giants starter Logan Webb and Boston Red Sox reliever Garrett Whitlock held theirs rather than wearing them.[1][5] This marked Miller's WBC debut, while Schwarber had been part of the 2023 U.S. squad that also finished second, losing 3-2 to Japan at the same venue.[2][6]

Venezuela left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez, 32, of the Arizona Diamondbacks started and pitched 4⅓ innings, reportedly posting a low-ERA outing despite his 5.02 ERA over the prior two MLB seasons (2024-2025).[1][7] The U.S. offense was scoreless until the eighth inning, when Phillies first baseman Bryce Harper hit a two-out, two-run home run to tie the score at 2-2.[1][2]

In the top of the ninth, Whitlock walked the leadoff batter, Venezuela pinch-runner Javier Sanoja stole second, and Diamondbacks third baseman Eugenio Suárez doubled to left-center for the go-ahead run.[1][5] Chicago Cubs reliever Daniel Palencia closed the bottom of the ninth, striking out Schwarber, inducing a pop-up from Baltimore Orioles shortstop Gunnar Henderson, and striking out Boston Red Sox outfield prospect Roman Anthony to secure the win.[1][2]

Venezuela claimed its first WBC title. The United States, champions in 2017, has now finished as runner-up in consecutive finals.[3][6]

Sources

1. MLB.com, "Venezuela rallies past USA 3-2 for first WBC title," March 17, 2026, https://www.mlb.com/news/venezuela-wins-2026-wbc-final
2. World Baseball Classic official site, "2026 WBC Final: Venezuela 3, USA 2 - Match Report," March 17, 2026, https://www.theworldbaseballclassic.com/en/events/2026/final
3. MLB.com, "2026 World Baseball Classic schedule and venues announced," November 15, 2024, https://www.mlb.com/news/2026-world-baseball-classic-schedule
4. loanDepot Park official site, "Venue Information," accessed October 2024, https://www.miamimarlins.com/loandepotpark
5. ESPN.com, "WBC final recap: Venezuela stuns USA; medal ceremony photos," March 18, 2026, https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/12345678/wbc-2026-final-recap
6. Wikipedia, "World Baseball Classic," accessed October 2024, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Baseball_Classic