By RONALD BLUM
Updated 10:31 PM PDT, March 16, 2026
MIAMI (AP) — Prior to the first pitch, Venezuelan players were already celebrating in the dugout, bringing energy and spirit as they progressed to their nation’s inaugural World Baseball Classic final by defeating Italy 4-2 on Monday night.
Key players Ronald Acuña Jr., Maikel Garcia, and Luis Arraez delivered crucial two-out singles in a quick seventh-inning surge, securing their place in the championship game against the United States.
Players reveled in the clubhouse after the game, though they quickly shifted their focus to the upcoming final.
“We had a lot of fun dancing,” Garcia said. “We’re here to show the world who we are as Venezuela.”
Before each game in the WBC, Venezuelan players unite around a drum, embracing tambor, a style of coastal Afro-Venezuelan music and dance. They gather in a circle, moving rhythmically and chanting as they prepare in their national colors of yellow, red, and blue.
“That’s our identity. That’s how we enjoy baseball,” said manager Omar López.
Who shines on the dance floor?
“Honestly, I think my cousin is the best dancer,” Garcia joked, glancing at Acuña, who chuckled beside him during the postgame interview.
Looking ahead, Eduardo Rodríguez is set to start against the Americans’ Nolan McLean on Tuesday night. A coin toss conducted earlier Monday determined that the U.S. would be the home team, with both squads sporting identical 5-1 records.
The players chose to steer clear of discussing the political tensions between the U.S. and Venezuela.
“We’re here to talk baseball,” Acuña emphasized. “Our country deserves this game tomorrow.”
Venezuela made a remarkable comeback after falling behind 2-0 in the fourth inning, having previously bounced back from a three-run deficit to defeat defending champion Japan in the quarterfinals. This marks their first entry into the championship round, following a loss to South Korea in their only previous semifinal in 2009.
In 2023, Venezuela lost to the U.S. in a quarterfinal match, where they squandered a two-run lead in the eighth inning due to a grand slam by Trea Turner.
“Baseball offers you these unique opportunities,” Acuña reflected. “Life is quite ironic.”
Italy, making history as the first European nation to reach a WBC semifinal, had remained undefeated at 5-0 in the tournament, boasting a unique celebration ritual involving espresso and Italian wine.
Despite the mix of homegrown and minor league talent, they faltered in the late innings against a powerful Venezuelan lineup, thrilling a pro-Venezuelan crowd of 35,382 at loanDepot park.
“In three years, they will take us seriously,” Italy manager Francisco Cervelli stated. “I told the guys they are the champions of this tournament… They’ve put Italy on the map in another sport.”
Italy took an early lead in the second inning when Keider Montero forced in a run with three consecutive walks, the last to J.J. D’Orazio. Dante Nori added a run-scoring forceout against Ricardo Sánchez, one of six relief pitchers who collectively achieved a five-hitter.
Eugenio Suárez ignited the Venezuelan comeback with a homer in the fourth off Aaron Nola, while winner Ángel Zerpa navigated a bases-loaded situation in the sixth with a well-placed sinker past Sam Antonacci.
Gleyber Torres began the seventh with a walk against losing pitcher Michael Lorenzen, followed by a clutch two-out single from Jackson Chourio that positioned runners on the corners.
Acuña’s hit found its way through the infield, enabling pinch-runner Andrés Giménez to score. Garcia followed with a pivotal single that brought in Chourio for the lead, while Arraez drove Lorenzen from the mound with another hit.
Daniel Palencia secured the save, closing the game with three consecutive outs, including a strikeout against Antonacci.
As excitement erupted among Venezuelan players, Italy’s team spent valuable moments in front of their dugout embracing one another and thanking their supporters. Team captain Vinnie Pasquantino noted that millions likely watched the game back home in Italy, where the first pitch occurred at 1:08 a.m. on Tuesday.
“Though we didn’t succeed on the field, we achieved success in Italy,” he said. “That’s what truly matters.”
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