HOUSTON, Texas — A crowd of 30,825 packed Daikin Park on Friday night ready to chant “U-S-A,” and they did not have to wait long.
Team USA’s offense erupted almost immediately when Bobby Witt Jr. reached to begin the game and captain Aaron Judge launched a two-run home run into the left-center field walkway to give the United States a 2–0 lead in the top of the first inning.
AARON JUDGE GOES YARD ?? #WorldBaseballClassic pic.twitter.com/rHI5uO5p6m
— World Baseball Classic (@WBCBaseball) March 7, 2026
The blast set the tone for what ultimately became a 15–5 victory over Brazil, marking the first game of the tournament for the United States in Pool B play at the 2026 World Baseball Classic.
Brazil answered immediately in the bottom half of the inning when Lucas Ramirez — the son of former Major League legend and two-time World Series champion Manny Ramirez — crushed a solo home run over the right-center field wall to cut the deficit to 2–1.
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Ramirez later added a second home run in the eighth inning and finished the night as Brazil’s offensive standout.
After the game, Ramirez reflected on the moment of hitting two home runs in front of his family.
“This is the best day ever of my life,” Ramirez said during Brazil’s postgame press conference. “I’m just grateful my family was here to watch me play. Thank God, two bombs today.”
A 17-Year-Old Faces Team USA’s Stars
One of the most memorable moments of the game came in the second inning when 17-year-old right-hander Joseph Contreras, the son of former Major League pitcher José Contreras, entered the game for Brazil.
Facing one of the most star-studded lineups in World Baseball Classic history, Contreras found himself in immediate trouble with the bases loaded and Aaron Judge at the plate.
Instead of unraveling, the teenager induced a ground ball that resulted in an inning-ending double play, escaping the jam and drawing a roar from the crowd.
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Contreras ultimately allowed one run across 1⅓ innings of work, though wild pitches proved troublesome during his outing.
Turang Breaks the Game Open
Team USA extended its lead in the third inning when Kyle Schwarber scored on a wild pitch from Contreras.
The biggest swing of the game came in the fifth inning.
After Alex Bregman scored when Byron Buxton was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, Milwaukee Brewers infielder Brice Turang lined a bases-clearing double off the left-field wall, scoring Cal Raleigh, Roman Anthony and Buxton to give the United States a commanding 7–1 lead.
Turang finished the night 3-for-6 with four RBIs, leading the United States offensively.
Brazil Pushes Back
Brazil refused to go quietly.
In the seventh inning, Lucas Rojo drove in Leonardo Reginatto with an RBI single before Victor Mascai launched a two-run home run to left-center field off Michael Wacha, cutting the lead to 7–4.
The United States answered in the eighth inning when Roman Anthony singled to right field to score Judge and extend the lead to 8–4.
Ramirez then hit his second solo home run of the night in the bottom half of the inning to pull Brazil within three runs at 8–5.
Ninth Inning Avalanche
Any suspense disappeared in the ninth inning.
The United States scored seven runs, sending 13 batters to the plate. The rally included an RBI single from Bryce Harper, bases-loaded walks by Alex Bregman, Cal Raleigh and Pete Crow-Armstrong, another RBI single from Anthony, a balk that allowed Raleigh to score, and a run-scoring groundout from Turang.
United States shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. (7) and right fielder Ernie Clement, right, celebrate after the team’s victory over Brazil in a World Baseball Classic game, Friday, March 6, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Despite collecting just 10 hits, Team USA capitalized on 17 walks issued by Brazil’s pitching staff.
Pitching Notes
San Francisco Giants right-hander Logan Webb earned the win after allowing one run on one hit over four innings while striking out six batters.
United States’ Byron Buxton, left, is helped by a trainer after being hit by a pitch during the fifth inning of a World Baseball Classic game against Brazil, Friday, March 6, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Michael Wacha followed with three innings of relief before Gabe Speier and Mason Miller closed out the game.
Brazil used nine pitchers throughout the contest as manager Daniel Yuichi Matsumoto worked to navigate the powerful United States lineup.
Tournament Context
The United States entered the tournament ranked No. 3 in the WBSC World Baseball Rankings, while Brazil came in ranked No. 22.
Brazil qualified for the 2026 World Baseball Classic after going 3-1 at the 2025 qualifying tournament in Tucson, Arizona, defeating Germany 6–4 in the second-place playoff game to earn its berth.
Certain player insurance issues were a major factor in Trea Turner and Mike Trout not returning to the United States roster for this tournament while remaining with their Major League clubs during spring training.
Turner and Trout were also the only players named to the 2023 All-World Baseball Classic Team during Team USA’s run to the championship game.
The United States has not won the World Baseball Classic since 2017, when Hall of Fame manager Jim Leyland led Team USA to an 8-0 victory over Puerto Rico at Dodger Stadium.
Next Up in Pool B
Team USA will play its second game of Pool B on March 7 against Great Britain at 8 p.m. ET.
Brazil will face Italy on March 7 at 1 p.m. ET.
