HOUSTON — Roman Anthony and Aaron Judge delivered the decisive swings early as Team USA held off a late Mexico rally to secure a 5–3 victory Monday night at Daikin Park in one of the most anticipated matchups of Pool B at the 2026 World Baseball Classic.
Judge launched a two-run home run and Anthony followed with a three-run blast during a five-run third inning that ultimately proved the difference as the United States improved its standing in the tightly contested Houston pool.
Mexico fought back behind two home runs from Jarren Duran and an RBI single from Joey Meneses, but a critical eighth-inning double play turned by Bobby Witt Jr. helped the American bullpen escape the final threat and preserve the victory.
First Inning
Both teams came out aggressive but failed to score in the opening frame.
Paul Skenes struck out Jarren Duran to begin the game and worked a clean inning for Team USA. In the bottom half, Manny Barreda ran into trouble after Aaron Judge singled and the Americans loaded the bases with walks to Kyle Schwarber and Alex Bregman.
Barreda escaped the jam by striking out Cal Raleigh swinging, keeping the game scoreless.
Second Inning
Mexico’s defense delivered one of the biggest plays of the early game in the second inning.
Roman Anthony reached on a walk and advanced when Brice Turang doubled to right field, but Jarren Duran fired a strike toward the infield that started a relay through Nick Gonzales to catcher Alejandro Kirk, who tagged Anthony out at the plate.
The relay kept the game tied and energized the Mexican dugout.
Third Inning
Team USA broke the game open in the third inning with a five-run outburst.
Bryce Harper opened the frame with a single before Aaron Judge launched a two-run home run to right field.
Kyle Schwarber followed with a single and Cal Raleigh was hit by a pitch before Roman Anthony delivered the biggest swing of the inning, crushing a three-run home run to right-center field.
This view of Roman Anthony’s three-run homer for @USABaseball ?? pic.twitter.com/w5QtrgW49V
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) March 10, 2026
The blast gave Team USA a 5–0 lead and shifted momentum inside a packed Daikin Park.
Fourth Inning
Paul Skenes continued to dominate in the fourth inning, overpowering the Mexican lineup with his fastball and finishing his outing with seven strikeouts across four scoreless innings.
Mexico managed little offensive traction during his start as the American ace kept the middle of the order quiet.
Fifth Inning
The game slowed as both bullpens began to settle in.
Garrett Cleavinger delivered a clean inning for the United States, while Mexico reliever Samy Natera Jr. held the American lineup scoreless to keep the deficit at five runs.
Sixth Inning
Mexico began to chip away in the sixth inning.
Jarren Duran launched a solo home run to left-center field to put Mexico on the scoreboard. Later in the inning, Joey Meneses delivered a two-out RBI single that scored Jonathan Aranda and cut the deficit to 5–2.
The rally gave Mexico renewed life after trailing by five runs.
Seventh Inning
Mexico kept the game within reach in the seventh.
Gerardo Reyes worked around a fielding error by Nick Gonzales with two outs, striking out Byron Buxton to end the inning and prevent Team USA from extending its lead.
The recovery kept the pressure on the American bullpen heading into the late innings.
Eighth Inning
Mexico struck again in the eighth inning as Jarren Duran delivered his second home run of the game, a solo shot to right field that trimmed the United States lead to 5–3.
Duran’s third homer of the tournament energized the Mexican crowd and brought the tying run closer to the plate as Mexico continued to pressure the American pitching staff.
After Randy Arozarena reached base and Jonathan Aranda struck out swinging, Griffin Jax entered from the bullpen to face Alejandro Kirk.
Stellar defense from Bobby Witt Jr. ??? pic.twitter.com/gBxFlcOVKY
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) March 10, 2026
Kirk grounded a sharp ball up the middle, but shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. ranged to his left and started a smooth inning-ending double play with Brice Turang and Bryce Harper, ending the rally and preserving the two-run lead for the United States.
Ninth Inning
Team USA turned to Garrett Whitlock to close the game.
Joey Meneses opened the inning with a single, but Whitlock regained control by striking out pinch hitters Alejandro Osuna and Julian Ornelas.
After Meneses advanced to second on defensive indifference, Alek Thomas grounded out to second baseman Brice Turang, who threw to Bryce Harper at first for the final out.
The groundout secured the 5–3 victory for the United States as the Americans held off Mexico’s late rally in front of a packed Daikin Park.
Final Score: United States 5, Mexico 3
Winning Pitcher: Paul Skenes (1–0)
Losing Pitcher: Jesús Cruz (0–1)
Save: Garrett Whitlock
Key Performers
Roman Anthony — 1-for-3, HR, 3 RBI
Aaron Judge — 2-for-3, HR, 2 RBI
Jarren Duran — 3-for-4, 2 HR
What’s Next
With the win, the United States remains in strong position in Pool B and now turns its attention to Italy in its next matchup in Houston.
The Americans expect another tight contest in the tournament’s round-robin format, where every game carries postseason intensity.
“It’s playoff baseball in March,” Aaron Judge said during his postgame interview with Ken Rosenthal. “A little March Madness, here. The fans came with it today. This was a fun atmosphere…this place get pretty rowdy.”
Judge also praised shortstop Bobby Witt Jr., whose eighth-inning defensive play helped preserve the lead.
“There’s a reason he’s one of the best players in the game, if not the best” Judge said. “he makes plays that win you a ball game.”
