How did Eduardo Rodriguez pitch in World Baseball Classic championship game?

Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez gave Venezuelan fans ample opportunities to chant, “Ponche! Ponche!” during the World Baseball Classic championship game against the United States on Tuesday.

Rodriguez threw 4.1 shutout innings with one hit, striking out U.S. captain Aaron Judge twice. Fans cheered “Ponche” (like punch-out) when Rodriguez put two strikes on a hitter, as he struck out four batters with one walk in a sharp and aggressive performance in front of a packed house in Miami.

Venezuela led 2-0 over the title favorites when Rodriguez walked off the mound to a standing ovation in the fifth inning.

Venezuela won the game 3-2 after former D-backs third baseman Eugenio Suarez delivered the go-ahead RBI double in the ninth inning. This is the first WBC title for Venezuela and second straight runners-up finish for the United States.

E-Rod and the E stands for Efficient 🔥 pic.twitter.com/SAfu9Mt5aK

— Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) March 18, 2026

The lefty effectively mixed his three fastballs (four-seam, cutter and sinker) and located those pitches to keep Team USA off balance. His changeup was nasty, as it drew three whiffs on five swings with two-time Cy Young winner and Venezuelan pitching coach Johan Santana — known for his changeup — looking on from the dugout.

Rodriguez retired the first seven batters he faced, striking out Judge looking at a cutter that just nicked the low-outside corner and Kyle Schwarber swinging at a four-seamer.

Brice Turang scooted a single to right field in the third inning for the only U.S. hit off Rodriguez, who only needed 35 pitches through three frames. He finished with 57 pitches.

Eduardo Rodriguez exits to a standing ovation from the Team Venezuela fans 👏#WorldBaseballClassic pic.twitter.com/SH2MQgo045

— World Baseball Classic (@WBCBaseball) March 18, 2026

It was a crucial performance for Venezuela, which used six relievers in Monday’s semifinal win over Italy.

Rodriguez was the lone Diamondbacks player left in the WBC entering the final, as Dominicans Geraldo Perdomo, Ketel Marte and Carlos Santana made their ways back to Arizona after falling to the U.S. in the semifinal on Sunday. Corbin Carroll was supposed to play for the United States before he suffered a broken hamate bone in his hand at the start of spring training.

Rodriguez is entering his third season with the Diamondbacks, a tenure that has not lived up to expectations to this point (5.02 ERA). The 33-year-old entered camp optimistic that adjustments he made in the back half of last season have set him up for a better performance this year.

Perhaps pitching a gem like Tuesday’s title game, given the stakes and the quality of opponent, could double as a confidence boost for Rodriguez going into the major league campaign.

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