On the 18th, Orix Buffaloes congratulated Venezuela's closer, pitcher Andrés Machado on winning the WBC as a member of the national team, via their official Instagram and X accounts.
The post featured a photo of Machado holding the trophy, accompanied by a message in Spanish that read, "Congratulations, world champion! You are our pride and joy."
Machado pitched in six games as a setup man in this tournament. He also pitched in the final against the United States in the 7th inning with two outs and a runner on first base. He pitched 1 1/3 innings and gave up two runs, but was pitcher win.
![[WBC] Venezuela's Orix Buffaloes becomes the "world's best winning pitcher" after giving up a game-tying home run, but his teammates take the lead, earning him a "medal of honor": "He's become the world's Machado"](https://hochi.news/images/2026/03/18/20260318-OHT1I51201-L.jpg)
![[WBC] Machado pitches brilliantly, inspired by the words of his Samurai Japan teammates: "It made me happy." He shines with the "bond of Orix" and contributes to Venezuela's first-ever appearance in the finals.](https://hochi.news/images/2026/03/17/20260317-OHT1I51230-L.jpg)
![[WBC] Venezuela's Orix Buffaloes Machado tries to put out a fire, but gives up a game-tying home run in his team-high sixth appearance…](https://hochi.news/images/2026/03/18/20260318-OHT1I51120-L.jpg)
![[WBC] Venezuelan captain, making his fourth consecutive appearance in the tournament, rallied his teammates in the 8th inning when the score was tied: "It's still a tie! Let's do this!" He expressed his gratitude for their long-awaited first championship.](https://hochi.news/images/2026/03/18/20260318-OHT1I51219-L.jpg)
![[Orix Buffaloes] Kenya Wakatsuki returning from the WBC, says there are "benefits" to the introduction of Pitchcom and other technologies, but the lack of "familiarity" was a factor.](https://hochi.news/images/2026/03/18/20260318-OHT1I51379-L.jpg)
![[WBC] Japan's true strength!? NPB players become winning pitcher for the second consecutive tournament; the 2023 winning pitcher is now a Major Leaguer.](/asset/img/news/no_buffaloes.png)
