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Updated at 00.06 EDT
The US
Mark DeRosa does not deliver. His team barely squeaks by the DR in the semis and then falls short v Team Venezuela, with their team of studs unable to capitalize on Bryce Harper’s dramatic, eighth inning, two-run shot that tied the game. They never really hit in this tournament, despite the laundry list of talent up and down the lineup. Aaron Judge is once agains the poster boy for failing to come up with the big hits in big spots – he was hit-less tonight with three strikeouts. For all of Team USA, heading back to Spring Training, that is one bad way to start a very long season.
But forget them – salute Venezuela, WBC champions, who knocked off Japan and the US along the way to making baseball history. They get all the plaudits and all the bragging rights in their first international baseball win since 1945 – it will never, ever be forgotten by anyone in Venezuela or any of their diaspora. Congratulations to them for this well deserved honor; they were the better team tonight, no question about it.
And that will do it for our live coverage of the WBC final. Thank you for reading, it’s always appreciated. Wherever you are, good morning, good afternoon and tonight!
Anthony Molina and and Ezequiel Tovar of Venezuela embrace after Tuesday’s win. Photograph: Al Bello/Getty ImagesShare
Updated at 23.31 EDT
Trump on Venezuela’s victory: ‘STATEHOOD!!!’
Bryan Armen Graham
Donald Trump posted “STATEHOOD!!! President DJT” on his Truth Social platform moments after the final out of Tuesday night’s World Baseball Classic championship game, injecting fresh political rhetoric into an already charged matchup.
The final had been played against a backdrop of political overtones between the two countries following the January capture of Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro by US forces. Players and coaches on both sides had repeatedly downplayed the politics during the tournament.
Trump had already weighed in on the eve of Tuesday’s contest, posting: “Good things are happening to Venezuela lately! … STATEHOOD, #51, ANYONE?”
His latest post, arriving immediately after the game ended at Miami’s loanDepot Park, underscored how the event – intended as a celebration of international baseball – has been shadowed by broader geopolitical tensions.
Post-game
Well, this is just baseball magic. A team like Venezuela, with everything against it, a nation that has undergone enormous political strife, economic hardship, human rights issues, foreign intervention and a list of issues that goes on and on. It has not been easy at all to be a Venezuelan, but tonight they all feel a little bit lighter because their representatives have made sports history. They defeat the USA, in their back yard, something that seemed improbable just a few hours ago. And the joy is contagious, no matter who you were rooting for.
Suarez speaks!
He had the big hit and now he speaks to FOX TV in the US.
“What can I say, it’s amazing, God is good….he was with us the whole time…nobody believe in us…but this is for the whole country…we play with passion and love, we feel this jersey.”
Venezuela are the champions!
The Americans stare out at the celebrating Venezuelans, who upset the Japanese just a few days ago, and have now turned the trick a second time! Their bullpen was lights out this entire tournament, and the gang with Rodriguez held a star-studded Team USA lineup to just three hits! A nation rejoices, horns blare in Caracas and all over the South American nation! The flags are out, the tears are streaming. The trophy is heading south!
Updated at 22.58 EDT
VEN 3-2 USA, FINAL!
Anothny waves at a fastball! It’s all over! Venezuela win the World Baseball Classic, upsetting the Americans in a historic win for all-time!
VEN 3-2 USA, bottom 9th
Palencia wants to talk to Perez. Another momentary pause.
VEN 3-2 USA, bottom 9th
Strike two, inside corner!
Venezuela are one strike away!
VEN 3-2 USA, bottom 9th
Palencia pauses, ties his shoes. Deep breaths.
VEN 3-2 USA, bottom 9th
A seed on the outside corner – strike one!
VEN 3-2 USA, bottom 9th
High and away! Ball one!
VEN 3-2 USA, bottom 9th
Henderson skies to third base!
Venezuela are an out away from the title!
It’s all down to Roman Anthony!
VEN 3-2 USA, bottom 9th
Ball one to the 24-year-old.
VEN 3-2 USA, bottom 9th
Whiff! One down! Schwarber could not touch the high cheese!
Gunnar Henderson, who homered against the DR, is pinch-hitting!
VEN 3-2 USA, bottom 9th
It’s 2-2 to Schwarber and the Cubs closer throws hard!
VEN 3-2 USA, bottom 9th
Daniel Palencia, who is filthy, comes in to face a parade of lefties in his bid to try and seal a historic WBC title for Venezuela. First up is Schwarber.
VEN 3-2 USA, top 9th
He lifts it to let, and Anthony has it. Three outs, and this is it! It’ll be Schwarber, Bregman and Anthony for all the marbles in the bottom of the ninth!
VEN 3-2 USA, top 9th
The US challenged Suarez re-touching third base when he ran there for no reason whatsoever because he didn’t know how many outs there were. But he did get back to second in time. The US is out of challenges, and the US puts Abreu on intentionally, which makes sense. It’s up to Salvador Perez to come up with a hit in a big spot.
VEN 3-2 USA, top 9th
Rogers, with that submarine delivery, doesn’t throw hard, but how anyone can pick it up I have no idea. Tovar pops up harmlessly to second. Two outs.
So of there’s going to be an insurance run for Venezuela, it’s up to Abreu, who as we know, homered already tonight.
VEN 3-2 USA, top 9th
Rogers has to face Tovar who is 2-3 tonight.
VEN 3-2 USA, top 9th
The eighth pitch to the pinch hitting Gimenez is hit to left – Anthony has it, and that’s the first out of the inning for the Americans.
Whitlock is done, here comes the submarine pitching Tyler Rogers to try and hold Venezuela to a single run.
ShareRUN! VEN 3-2 USA, top 9th
Eugenio Suárez hits a ball into the gap in left center field! It’s going to the wall! Sanoja is coming around to score, and Suárez is at second with a double!
Venezuela re-take the lead!!!!
VEN 2-2 USA, top 9th
Full count to Suarez!
ShareREPLAY! THE CALL STANDS! VEN 2-2 USA, top 9th
It’s a stolen base, so now the lead run is 180 feet away with nobody out! It’s 2-1 to Suarez.
Pitch – swing and a miss, strike two!
VEN 2-2 USA, top 9th
Sanoja steals second! So now Venezuela has a runner in scoring position!
The US will challenge, but he looked like he just got his foot in to me. Let’s see.
VEN 2-2 USA, top 9th
Luis Arraez walks! A lead off walk is not good!
Javier Sanoja pinch runs for the three-time batting champ, and Suarez is up.
Ball one prompts a meeting at the mound to calm Whitlock, who may be feeling it.
VEN 2-2 USA, top 9th
Garrett Whitlock, who was superb in his last outing v the DR, has the ninth for the Americans. He will face Luis Arraez to open the frame.
Updated at 22.32 EDT
VEN 2-2 USA, bottom 8th
Another changeup and Judge watches it AGAIN! It’s his third strikeout of the night!
The inning is over but we are tied! To the ninth!
VEN 2-2 USA, bottom 8th
Changeup, foul – strike one! It’s another changeup – he lets it go. Strike two!
VEN 2-2 USA, bottom 8th
Now it’s Judge! He’s ahead 1-0.
ShareHOME RUN! VEN 2-2 USA, bottom 8th
Bryce Harper delivers a home run to center and this game is tied!
He runs around the bases and lets out a roar! Relief for the Americans! They have new life!
Bryce Harper of the US hits a two-run home run in the eighth inning. Photograph: Al Bello/Getty ImagesShare
Updated at 22.42 EDT
VEN 2-0 USA, bottom 8th
low – ball one.
VEN 2-0 USA, bottom 8th
Witt Jr walks on four pitches! is this the break the US needs?
Bryce Harper steps in. The Venezuelans chat at the mound, with pitching coach Johan Santana leading the conversation.
Here we go! Harper is the tying run!
VEN 2-0 USA, bottom 8th
Machado strikes Turang out on three pitches, and this is getting UGLIER for the Americans!
Here is Crowe-Armstrong and he grounds out to second.
WOW!
It’s up to Witt Jr in the US eighth!
VEN 2-0 USA, top 8th
Garcia pops out to Smith who makes the catch behind the plate.
Easy inning for Jax.
Turang, Crowe-Armstrong and Witt Jr are due up.
VEN 2-0 USA, top 8th
Acuna grounds out to short. Two down. Here’s Garcia.
VEN 2-0 USA, top 8th
Griffin Jax is in for Team USA and he faces Chourio who is the ninth hitter in the Venezuelan lineup. He’s ahead 0-2 and then gets Chourio to chase out of the zone – strike three.
One down. Here’s Acuna Jr.
VEN 2-0 USA, bottom 7th
Machado pitched for Orix in Japan last season and had a 2.28 ERA. In the WBC in four appearances, his ERA is zero. He’s ahead on Smith 0-2. Pitch…and a swing and a harmless pop up on the right side of foul ground. It’s caught, side retired!
Team USA are six outs away from humiliation. And the president is watching.
Updated at 22.14 EDT