At the WBC, Roman Anthony and Aaron Judge lead Team USA past Mexico.
USA Beats Mexico 5–3 in World Baseball Classic as Judge, Anthony Power Big Third Inning
World Baseball Classic action heated up Monday night as the United States defeated Mexico 5–3 in front of a sellout crowd at Daikin Park. Powered by home runs from Aaron Judge and Roman Anthony, Team USA improved to 3–0 in Pool B, putting them in a strong position to advance to the quarterfinals.
Judge and Anthony Deliver in Explosive Third Inning
The decisive moment came in the third inning, when the American lineup erupted for five runs.
After Bryce Harper reached base with a single that deflected off Mexican reliever Jesús Cruz, Judge stepped up and launched a two-run homer to right field, giving the United States an early 2–0 lead. It marked Judge’s second home run of the tournament.
The rally continued as Kyle Schwarber singled and Cal Raleigh was hit by a pitch. With runners aboard, Anthony crushed a three-run homer to right-center, extending the lead to 5–0 and electrifying the crowd.
Mexico Fights Back
Mexico did not go quietly. Outfielder Jarren Duran delivered a standout performance, hitting two home runs for Mexico.
Duran’s first solo shot came in the sixth inning, trimming the deficit to 5–1. Later in the inning, with two runners on base, Joey Meneses singled to drive in another run and cut the score to 5–2.
In the eighth inning, Duran struck again, launching his second homer of the night off Matthew Boyd to bring Mexico within 5–3.
However, Team USA’s bullpen held firm. Griffin Jax entered the game and forced a double-play grounder from Alejandro Kirk to end the inning and preserve the lead.
Dominant Start from Paul Skenes
Reigning National League Cy Young winner Paul Skenes delivered a strong performance on the mound for the United States. Skenes allowed just one hit and struck out seven batters across four innings, setting the tone for the victory.
The win was also historically significant, as it marked Team USA’s first World Baseball Classic victory over Mexico since 2006. Mexico had defeated the Americans 11–5 in the 2023 tournament.
What’s Next in Pool B
With the victory, the United States now holds a 3–0 record in Pool B. They will face Italy (2–0) on Tuesday night in a key matchup that could determine the group’s top seed and secure a place in the quarterfinals in Houston this weekend.
Mexico, now 2–1, will close out group play against Italy on Wednesday night in the final game of Pool B.
As the tournament continues, Team USA’s powerful lineup and dominant pitching make them one of the favorites to compete for the 2026 World Baseball Classic title.
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