Venezuela Arrolló a Israel en Clásico Mundial y se Pone Líder en Grupo D
MIAMI – Venezuela delivered a commanding performance Saturday night, defeating Israel 11-3 in the World Baseball Classic. The victory, fueled by a historic night from Luis Arráez, propels Venezuela to the top of Group D with a 2-0 record. The game, played at the loanDepot park in Miami, showcased Venezuela’s potent offense and solid pitching, leaving little doubt about their dominance.
Arráez’s Historic Performance
Luis Arráez was the undeniable star of the night, delivering a performance for the ages. He went 4-for-5 at the plate, driving in five runs, scoring four times, and hitting two doubles and two home runs. Arráez’s five RBIs matched a World Baseball Classic record previously held by Salvador Pérez, who achieved the same feat in 2023 against Puerto Rico. The San Francisco Giants second baseman became the first Venezuelan player to hit two home runs in a single World Baseball Classic game, repeating a feat he first accomplished in 2023 against the United States.
Arráez’s first home run came in the bottom of the fifth inning, extending Venezuela’s lead to 5-1. He connected on a fastball from Israel’s Jordan Geber, sending the ball soaring over the right-field fence at a speed of 98.5 miles per hour and a distance of 372 feet. He wasn’t finished there. In the bottom of the sixth, he launched another home run, this time with Ronald Acuña Jr. And Maikel García on base, pushing the score to 10-2.
Early Offensive Burst Sets the Tone
Venezuela wasted no time establishing control, erupting for four runs in the bottom of the first inning. Ronald Acuña Jr. Drew a walk and scored on a hit by Arráez. Arráez himself then scored on a hit from Salvador Pérez, and Eugenio Suárez followed with a two-run home run, quickly building a 4-0 advantage. The early rally put immediate pressure on Israel’s pitching staff and set the stage for a dominant offensive display.
Israel’s Struggles and Late Rally Attempt
Israel managed to narrow the gap in the top of the inning with a triple by Garrett Stubbs and a subsequent single by Matt Mervis against Venezuelan starter Emmanuel De Jesús. However, Venezuela’s offense proved too powerful to contain. The Israeli pitching staff allowed a total of 14 hits throughout the game, struggling to find answers for the relentless Venezuelan lineup.
In the ninth inning, Harrison Bader hit a solo home run for Israel, making the score 11-3, but it was too little, too late to mount a serious comeback.
Strong All-Around Performance for Venezuela
Arráez wasn’t the only Venezuelan player to contribute to the victory. Eugenio Suárez also hit a home run, while Salvador Pérez went 2-for-5 with a run and an RBI. Ezequiel Tovar added a perfect 3-for-3 performance with a stolen base. On the mound, Emmanuel De Jesús delivered a strong outing, striking out eight batters – a new Venezuelan record for strikeouts in a World Baseball Classic game.
Netherlands Defeats Nicaragua in Group D Action
Earlier in the day, the Netherlands secured a dramatic victory over Nicaragua in another Group D matchup. Nicaragua held a 3-1 lead heading into the ninth inning, but a three-run home run by Ozzie Albies of the Atlanta Braves sealed the win for the Netherlands. Albies’s walk-off home run was the first of its kind in World Baseball Classic history, instantly becoming a memorable moment in the tournament. The Netherlands, however, entered the game with a loss against Venezuela on Friday, 6-2.
Looking Ahead
Venezuela will look to continue their winning ways when they face the Dominican Republic on Sunday. Israel will play Nicaragua later that evening, both games taking place at loanDepot park in Miami. The Dominican Republic had a scheduled rest day on Saturday. These games will be crucial as teams battle for positioning in Group D and a chance to advance to the next round of the tournament.
The World Baseball Classic continues to deliver exciting baseball action, and Venezuela’s dominant performance on Saturday night has firmly established them as a team to watch. With Arráez leading the charge, the Vinotinto are one step closer to making a deep run in the tournament.
