MIAMI, FLORIDA — The United States lost the World Baseball Classic final to Venezuela on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, at loanDepot Park in Miami, Florida. Team USA manager Mark DeRosa did not use closer Mason Miller in the ninth inning of the tie game, instead bringing in Garrett Whitlock, who gave up the winning run.

DeRosa said before the game that Miller was available only in a save situation. The San Diego Padres told DeRosa that Miller could only be used in a save situation. "Had we taken the lead, he was coming in, but I wasn't going to bring him in into a tie game," DeRosa said.

Bryce Harper homered in the bottom of the eighth inning to tie the game at two. DeRosa opted to bring in Whitlock in the ninth inning instead of Miller. Eugenio Suarez hit an RBI double to give Venezuela its first World Baseball Classic title.

Miller recorded saves against Canada in the quarterfinals and against the Dominican Republic in the semifinals. As the home team in the top of the ninth inning, the closer typically enters in tie games.

Venezuela manager Omar Lopez spoke with MLB team officials the morning of the championship game about pitching regulations. The Detroit Tigers would not allow reliever Enmanuel De Jesus to pitch under any circumstances in the championship game. The Chicago Cubs said closer Daniel Palencia was only allowed to pitch in a save situation.

There was pregame speculation that New York Yankees closer David Bednar was unavailable after also pitching on Friday and Sunday.

The United States won the World Baseball Classic championship in 2017. The United States lost its second consecutive World Baseball Classic title game in 2026.