HOUSTON — Team USA nearly erased an eight-run deficit Tuesday night at Daikin Park before Aaron Judge struck out swinging to end an 8–6 loss to Italy in World Baseball Classic pool play.
Judge represented the tying run in the ninth inning after Bobby Witt Jr. singled with one out. Greg Weissert, called on to finish the game, got ahead in the count before putting the American captain away with an offspeed pitch to seal the win.
The late drama came after Pete Crow-Armstrong sparked a furious rally, hitting two home runs and driving in four runs to pull the United States back into the game.
But Italy’s early offense had already done the damage.
How Team Italy Built the Lead
Italy Strikes First
The opening inning passed quietly before Italy seized control in the second. Kyle Teel launched a solo home run to left, putting Italy on the board. Moments later Jac Caglianone was hit by a pitch, setting the stage for Sam Antonacci’s two-run homer to right-center that quickly pushed the lead to 3–0.
Italy’s Jac Caglianone celebrates his fourth-inning home run against the United States during a World Baseball Classic game at Daikin Park in Houston.
(AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Caglianone Extends the Lead
Italy struck again in the fourth. Kyle Teel worked a walk, and Jac Caglianone followed by driving a two-run home run to right field, pushing the lead to 5–0 and further shifting momentum toward the Italian side.
Italy right fielder Jac Caglianone (14) celebrates a home run against the United States with catcher Kyle Teel (3) in the forth inning of a World Baseball Classic game, Tuesday, March 10, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
The United States threatened in the bottom half when Will Smith doubled with two outs, but Roman Anthony grounded out to end the inning and leave the runner stranded.
Italy Builds the Cushion
The sixth inning widened the gap.
Teel opened the frame with a double before leaving the game after appearing to suffer an injury on the play. Pinch-runner J.J. D’Orazio eventually scored when a fielder’s choice was combined with a throwing error.
A sacrifice fly from Dante Nori added another run, and moments later Sam Antonacci crossed the plate on a wild pitch. By the time the inning ended, Italy had stretched the lead to 8–0.
Henderson Breaks Through
Team USA finally broke through in the bottom of the sixth when Gunnar Henderson drove a ball to center field for a solo home run.
Photo United States shortstop Gunnar Henderson, right, celebrates with right fielder Aaron Judge (99) after hitting a home run in the sixth inning of a World Baseball Classic game, Tuesday, March 10, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Crow-Armstrong Starts the Rally
The comeback began to take shape in the seventh.
After Paul Goldschmidt reached base and Brice Turang doubled to put runners in scoring position, Pete Crow-Armstrong lifted a drive into the right-field seats for a three-run home run. The swing cut the deficit to 8–4 and brought the crowd back into the game.
Anthony Keeps the Pressure On
Team USA continued to close the gap in the eighth.
Kyle Schwarber opened the inning with a single and Will Smith followed with another hit. With runners moving, Roman Anthony lined a single into left field that brought Schwarber home and trimmed the score to 8–5.
Bryce Harper came up as a pinch hitter representing the tying run, but lifted a fly ball to left field to end the inning.
Crow-Armstrong Gives the United States One More Chance
Crow-Armstrong struck again in the ninth.
Leading off the inning, he drove a pitch into the right-field seats for his second home run of the night, pulling the United States within 8–6 and giving the crowd one more surge of hope.
Bobby Witt Jr. followed with a single, putting the tying run at the plate. But the rally stalled there. Gunnar Henderson struck out for the second out, leaving Aaron Judge to face Greg Weissert.
Judge swung through the final pitch, ending the game and the comeback attempt.
The Pool B Picture
Italy improved to 3–0 in Pool B, while Team USA fell to 3–1.
The United States now waits on the result of the Italy–Mexico matchup. An Italian victory would send Team USA through to the next round. If Mexico wins, the pool could move to the World Baseball Classic tiebreaker system based on runs allowed per defensive out among the tied teams.
If Team Italy defeats USA Baseball tonight, USA's WBC tournament fate may come down to a tiebreaker. pic.twitter.com/aiR9ougiSu
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) March 11, 2026
Italy, for now, sits in control of the group after building the early lead and holding off the late push from the United States.
(AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
