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After three consecutive victories to start the 2026 World Baseball Classic (WBC), Team USA earned a spot in Pool B, advancing to the finals after defeating Mexico, 5-3, in Houston on Monday night.
Mexico has won each of the last three games against the US, including the 2023 game that ended with El Tri defeating the Stars and Stripes, 11-5.
But thanks to some bat power from captain Aaron Judge and Boston Red Sox’s 21-year-old Roman Anthony, Team USA was able to pull off that win at Daikin Park.
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Aaron Judge of the United States reacts to a hit in the third inning during the World Baseball Classic Pool B game between Mexico and the United States at Daikin Park on March 9, 2026, in Houston, Texas. (Houston Astros/Getty Images)
After the US couldn’t cash in with the bases loaded in the first and runners over in the second, Jaji wasted no time scoring his second game of the tournament, lining Jesus Cruz to right field for a 2-0 lead.
Then, after Kyle Schwarber singled to right, and Cal Raleigh was hit by a pitch, Anthony didn’t even miss an inning. The high moonshot took forever, and Anthony, who was shot down in the second inning, got redemption by opening the game.
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The tone was set by Paul Skenes, who made his Team USA debut in the WBC and was off. He allowed just one hit and struck out seven batters in four innings (60 pitches).
Skenes’ repertoire was electric as usual, with sharp breaking sinkers and changeups to go along with the high-90 mph fastball. The former Air Force Academy player has been looking forward to this moment for a while, and he didn’t take the opportunity to help his team.
Paul Skenes of the United States reacts in the first inning during the World Baseball Classic Pool B game between Mexico and the United States at Daikin Park on March 9, 2026 in Houston, Texas. (Houston Astros/Getty Images)
After a five-run inning, the US bats went quiet, allowing Mexico a chance to gain momentum.
It was Anthony’s Red Sox teammate, Jarren Duran, who got El Tri on the board with a solo home run off Matthew Boys, the Chicago Cub’ ace.
And that wouldn’t be Duran’s only fly, as he saw the ball well in Houston. After Joey Meneses’ infield single scored Jonathan Aranda late in the top of the sixth inning to make it 5-2, Duran led off the top of the eighth inning with a 374-foot shot to right field again.
Griffin Jax was called on by manager Mark DeRosa to clean up the frame, and Garrett Whitlock shut the door in the ninth inning to secure the victory.
With a 3-0 record, the US is in a do-or-die situation heading into its final pool play contest against Italy on Tuesday night. Of course, they would like to go undefeated and go on a Game 7-like run in the postseason each time we go forward.
Aaron Judge of the United States hits a home run in the third inning during the World Baseball Classic Pool B game between Mexico and the United States at Daikin Park on March 9, 2026 in Houston, Texas. (Houston Astros/Getty Images)
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Team USA and Italy will compete at Daikin Park on Tuesday night at 8 pm ET.
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