Miami, Florida – The second night of the WBC in Miami did not disappoint as Venezuela’s Luis Arraez powered two home runs in the 11-3 win over Team Israel. The Venezuelans got off to a fast start and never looked back, leading wire to wire. Left-handed pitcher Enmanuel De Jesus dueled Ben Simon, working a gem on the mound, tossing five frames of one-run ball, sprinkling two hits, and punching out right. It was his second career appearance for Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic, becoming a familiar foe to the Israelis. In 2023, he held them to a run through nearly four innings, striking out five in helping the country earn its fourth win of the tournament. The former Miami Marlins player got plenty of support.
Lord have mercy, Venezuela is putting on a clinic.#WorldBaseballClassic pic.twitter.com/l1oeDWrqQq
— Gabriel Garcia (@Gabewritesports) March 8, 2026
Venezuela wasted no time getting on the board, scoring four runs during the first. Arraez recorded an RBI double before being driven home by team captain and cleanup hitter Salvador Perez on the run-inducing single. Arraez concluded the contest going 4-for-5, including the aforementioned two homers, two doubles, and five RBIs. Eugenio Suárez also flashed power, doubling up on the Israelis with a two-run dinger towards left field. He went 2-for-4 with a run and knocked in a pair. Israel’s offense got off to a very slow start, failing to log a hit until the fifth when Garrett Stubbs tripled to right field. Matt Mervis brought him home with a single.
Arraez responded that same inning with a solo blast, his first of the evening. The visitors tried to keep pace as RJ Schreck also went yard in the sixth, trailing the Venezuelans 5-2. Despite cutting into the lead, La Vinotinto erupted that same inning, tacking on five runs. Former Miami Hurricane Daniel Federman walked Ronald Acuña Jr. to load the bases. Enter: Maikel Garcia. The third baseman ripped a two-run single to right field, raising the deficit. If that weren’t enough, Arraez homered again to make it 10-2, ending any hope of an upset. Unwilling to settle just yet, Wilyer Abreu added one more for good measure in the eighth via an RBI single, his only hit of the night. Elsewhere in the lineup, Perez notched two hits in five at-bats and drove in a run. Ezequiel Tovar was great at the plate, going 3-for-3.
Down but not out. Team Israel turned on the power to stay in the game.#WorldBaseballClassic pic.twitter.com/s1RPbi2BtD
— Gabriel Garcia (@Gabewritesports) March 8, 2026
Harrison Bader went deep in the ninth in his sole hit of the game, but it was far too little, far too late. Improving to 2-0, Venezuela gets the day off on Sunday while Israel regroups to host Nicaragua after dropping their opener.
Impressions
De Jesus had a great night, tossing 5 innings of one-run ball. https://t.co/U909yssIkh
— Gabriel Garcia (@Gabewritesports) March 8, 2026
This one was never in doubt. Unlike other games where the favorite to win struggles to pull away until the later innings, Venezuela made a statement. Acuña, meanwhile, surprisingly went hitless. He normally thrives at loanDepot Park with a 1.032 OPS since 2024. I want to hand out some congratulations, starting with Arraez’s fantastic outing. He took charge at the plate. I also want to tip my cap to De Jesus for the great start on the bump. For those who don’t remember, he made his MLB debut on September 9th, 2023, with the Fish against the Philadelphia Phillies. Kyle Schwarber was the first batter he faced, forcing him to hit a grounder to first. Alec Bohm was his first strikeout victim.
Over on the Israeli side, Bader etched his first career WBC appearance, may it not be the last. I want to give a shoutout to former Hurricane Zach Levenson. He went 2-for-4 and made a sweet catch during the game. Bring on Day 3!
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