◆WBC Final: USA 2-3 Venezuela (March 17, Miami, Florida, USA - Lone Depot Park)

Venezuela achieved their long-awaited first championship, with Orix Buffaloes pitcher A. Machado pitcher win.

Machado took the mound in the 7th inning with a two-run lead, two outs, and a runner on first. He got Smith closer a foul fly ball to escape the jam. He pitched again in the 8th inning, but gave up a two-run homer with two outs and a runner on first, tying the game. However, in the 9th inning, a teammate hit a timely doble to take the lead. Palencia closed out the 9th inning.

In the 2023 WBC final, when Japan played the United States, Imanaga, then of DeNA, who started the game, won the final in two innings 4 hit 1 runs at win pitcher. For the second consecutive tournament, a player from the NPB won the final pitcher.

Machado has been playing for Orix Buffaloes since 2024. He has made over 50 appearances for two consecutive years and has accumulated 51 saves over those two years, showing he is working at full capacity.