HOUSTON, Texas — Team USA erased an early deficit with a five-run fifth inning and added four more runs over the next two frames to take a 9–1 lead over Great Britain during Pool B play at the 2026 World Baseball Classic at Daikin Park on Saturday night.
Great Britain struck first in the opening inning when Nate Eaton blasted a solo home run to left-center field off United States starter Tarik Skubal. The ball was initially ruled in play before an umpire review overturned the call to confirm the home run, giving Great Britain a 1–0 lead.
Eaton’s homer was the only run allowed by the American pitching staff through the early innings as Skubal worked three innings while striking out five.
Fifth Inning Turns the Game
Team USA broke through in the bottom of the fifth inning.
Ernie Clement scored on a wild pitch from Andre Scrubb to tie the game at 1–1, with Pete Crow-Armstrong advancing to third base.
Moments later, Kyle Schwarber crushed a two-run home run to right field, scoring Crow-Armstrong and giving the United States a 3–1 lead.
The rally continued when Gunnar Henderson ripped a two-run hit to center field, scoring Alex Bregman and Bryce Harper. Henderson advanced to second on a fielding error by Eaton, pushing the lead to 5–1.
USA Adds Insurance
The United States kept the pressure on in the sixth inning.
Alex Bregman delivered a sacrifice fly to right field that scored Clement to extend the lead to 6–1.
Shortly after, Aaron Judge lined a 109.5 mph RBI single to left field, bringing home Crow-Armstrong and making it 7–1.
Will Smith followed with another sacrifice fly, scoring Schwarber to stretch the advantage to 8–1.
Team USA added another run in the seventh inning when Bregman lifted his second sacrifice fly of the game, once again scoring Clement to make it 9–1.
Offensive Leaders for the United States
The American lineup generated 11 hits through the first seven innings.
- Kyle Schwarber: 2-for-4, HR, 2 RBI, 2 runs
- Gunnar Henderson: 3-for-4, 2 RBI
- Alex Bregman: 1-for-3, double, 2 RBI (two sacrifice flies)
- Aaron Judge: RBI single
- Ernie Clement: 3 runs scored
Team USA went 5-for-9 with runners in scoring position.
Great Britain Notes
Great Britain collected three hits, all from Nate Eaton, who went 3-for-3 with a home run and scored the team’s lone run.
The British lineup struck out 15 times against United States pitching through the first seven innings.
Photo: United States designated hitter Kyle Schwarber hits a home run during the fifth inning of a World Baseball Classic game against Britain, Saturday, March 7, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
