Was Javier Sanoja safe at 2nd? Explaining 9th-inning call that helped doom Team USA vs. Venezuela
In the top of the ninth inning, Venezuela’s Javier Sanoja slid into second base as the game’s potential go-ahead run. He managed to avoid the tag, but the U.S. wanted to take a closer look as the game depended on the call.
After a replay review, Sanoja was confirmed safe and eventually scored the winning run in Venezuela’s 3-2 championship victory against Team USA. This was Venezuela’s first WBC championship.
So was Sanoja safe? Let’s take a closer look.
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Was Javier Sanoja safe at second?
After the play was reviewed, it was deemed that Sanoja got onto second safely. Here is the play.
Javier Sanoja swipes second as the go-ahead run and the call stood after review pic.twitter.com/OMktun0V3x
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) March 18, 2026
Team USA challenged the play, but the call on the field was confirmed after an intense look.
MORE: Venezuela’s full World Baseball classic roster
Why did United States national baseball team challenge the safe call?
Due to the high-stakes environment, the USA did not want to take a risk in missing a chance to get back into the game.
The U.S. had not used either of its challenges prior to this play, so manager Mark DeRosa wanted to make sure the umpires got the call correct.
MORE: Has the United States ever won a World Baseball Classic?
World Baseball Classic challenge rules
In non-championship WBC games, replay review stays the same as Major League Baseball replay regulations. However, for the Championship Round games, the manager is entitled to two replay challenges.
MORE: Venezuela stuns USA to win the 2026 World Baseball Classic
Who is Javier Sanoja?
Sanoja was born in Maracay, Venezuela, on September 3, 2002. The 23-year-old can play second base, shortstop, third base, or leftfield. In the championship for Venezuela, he served as the pinch runner. Against Israel and the Netherlands earlier in the tournament, he played at second base.
Sanoja currently plays for the Miami Marlins and signed as an international free agent in 2019. He is best known for his hitting and defensive versatility. Sanoja made his MLB debut in 2024 and won the 2025 Gold Glove Award as the NL’s top utility player.
