WBC 2026: Netherlands Stuns Nicaragua on Albies Walk-Off Homer in Pool D

The Netherlands picked up its first win of the 2026 World Baseball Classic in historic fashion: Ozzie Albies (Braves) launched the first walk-off home run in World Baseball Classic history, lifting the Dutch to a 4-3 win over Nicaragua in Pool D on Saturday, March 7, 2026, at loanDepot Park in Miami. It was the 10th walk-off win in WBC history and a record fourth by the Netherlands. Albies connected on the first-pitch fastball from Angel Obando after Ceddanne Rafaela singled and Xander Bogaerts' hard grounder hit the third-base bag and ricocheted into left to extend the ninth.

Nicaragua had taken a 3-1 lead in the eighth when Jeter Downs hit a two-run homer (397 feet to left-center) off Lars Huijer—leaving the Dutch six outs from a crushing defeat. For eight innings the Netherlands had been hitless in six tries with runners in scoring position and stranded 10. Albies said: "The moment I hit it … I felt just like that. It hit the perfect spot on the bat." Erasmo Ramirez gave Nicaragua five strong innings of one-run ball; Netherlands starter Jaitoine Kelly became the youngest starting pitcher in WBC history (18 years, 251 days) and threw two scoreless frames. Nicaragua manager Dusty Baker said of the Bogaerts double: "That ball just hit the third base bag and bounced over. You don't put the winning run on base." The top two teams from Pool D advance to the quarterfinals in Houston (March 13–14). The Netherlands is 1-1; Nicaragua is 0-2.

How the game unfolded

The game was 1-1 through seven—Albies had driven in a run with a bases-loaded hit-by-pitch in the third, and Cheslor Cuthbert drew a bases-loaded walk in the fifth for Nicaragua. Both teams stranded 22 runners through seven and each left the bases loaded twice. Downs' two-run homer in the eighth put Nicaragua ahead and set off a celebration in their dugout.

In the ninth, with two outs, Rafaela singled and Bogaerts' grounder hit the bag and caromed into left. Albies stepped in and sent Obando's first-pitch fastball 411 feet to right-center for the walk-off. Bogaerts said: "It wasn't looking good for us. But a couple of guys in the lineup, you know who they are, we have experience. We proved it today and it was vital." The Netherlands faces the Dominican Republic Sunday and Israel Tuesday; Nicaragua has two games left in pool play.

Pool D context and what's next

Pool D at loanDepot Park in Miami is one of the toughest groups in the 2026 WBC. Venezuela and the Dominican Republic are both 1-0; the Netherlands is 1-1; Israel and Nicaragua round out the pool. The Netherlands' walk-off keeps them in contention. Pool play runs through March 11; every game will shape who advances to Houston.

Names to watch for AthX

Ozzie Albies (Braves), Xander Bogaerts, and Ceddanne Rafaela (Red Sox) are key MLB names for the Netherlands. Nicaragua has Jeter Downs, Mark Vientos (Mets), and Erasmo Ramirez. WBC performance does not affect dynamic pricing—AthX prices are driven by MLB performance—but a strong tournament can boost narrative and demand before Opening Day.

What It Means for AthX

WBC stats don't count in dynamic pricing; AthX share prices are based on MLB playing time and results. Still, WBC results can shape narrative and demand for players on both rosters. Use the WBC as a lead-in to see who's in form, then browse the marketplace to see how MLB players are valued on AthX.

*Sources: MLB.com – Netherlands beats Nicaragua on Ozzie Albies' walk-off home run; official WBC Pool D results. Fact-checked March 7, 2026.*