HOUSTON, Texas — Jonathan Aranda broke a 1-1 tie with a three-run home run in the top of the eighth inning, lifting Mexico to an 8-2 win over Great Britain on Friday afternoon in the opening game of Pool B at the 2026 World Baseball Classic at Daikin Park.
Mexico improved to 1-0 to begin tournament play, while Great Britain dropped to 0-1 despite outhitting Mexico 8-6. Great Britain stranded nine runners and finished 1-for-6 with runners in scoring position.
The game also marked the first World Baseball Classic contest ever played in the state of Texas.
Mexico also added infielder Mateo Gil to the roster after Luis Urías suffered an injury during the team’s final exhibition game against the Los Angeles Dodgers earlier in the week.
Mateo Gil has been added to Mexico’s WBC roster. 🇲🇽
He has replaced Luis Urías. pic.twitter.com/vpKvY0tGg4
— Shawn Spradling (@Shawn_Spradling) March 6, 2026
Early Lead for Mexico
Nacho Alvarez Jr. gave Mexico an early 1-0 lead in the top of the second inning when he launched a solo home run to left-center field off Great Britain starter Jack Anderson.
Nacho Alvarez Jr. hits a solo home run in the second inning for Mexico against Great Britain, the first home run of Pool B at the 2026 World Baseball Classic at Daikin Park in Houston.
Mexico starter Javier Assad worked 3.2 scoreless innings before manager Benji Gil turned to his bullpen under World Baseball Classic pitch count regulations. Assad allowed two hits, walked one, struck out two, and threw 51 pitches, 29 for strikes.
“A lot has changed. I am learning more. I have been pitching more in the big leagues,” Assad said during media day on March 5. “And currently I am very grateful, very happy with the opportunity I have been given after all of the hard work, trying to get a spot in the major leagues.”
Great Britain Ties the Game
Great Britain pulled even in the bottom of the sixth when Harry Ford hit a solo home run to left field to make it 1-1.
Harry Ford takes off and ties it for Team Great Britain! #WorldBaseballClassic pic.twitter.com/ldsYJ6oIwL
— World Baseball Classic (@WBCBaseball) March 6, 2026
Moments later, Great Britain threatened to take the lead after Ivan Johnson singled to left, but Randy Arozarena threw out Matt Koperniak at home plate to preserve the tie. Key defensive moment
Don't run on Randy 😤 pic.twitter.com/NdHKoDmJ1G
— World Baseball Classic (@WBCBaseball) March 6, 2026
Great Britain manager Brad Marcelino said his team believed it could seize momentum in that moment but praised the aggressive approach.
“Ivan Johnson put a good swing on it, thrown out at the plate, could have taken some momentum there,” Marcelino said. “But overall we battled. I’m proud of how those guys competed.”
Aranda Delivers the Decisive Blow
Mexico capitalized two innings later.
With two outs in the top of the eighth, Jarren Duran drew a walk and Arozarena followed with another free pass before Aranda drove a three-run homer to left field off Tristan Beck to put Mexico ahead 4-1.
Aranda finished 2-for-5 with a home run and three RBIs, delivering the decisive hit in a game that remained tied through seven innings.
Mexico Adds Insurance in the Ninth
Mexico broke the game open in the ninth. After Jared Serna entered as a pinch-runner for Rowdy Tellez, Alek Thomas hit a two-run single to center field to score Serna and Nick Gonzales for a 7-1 lead.
