For the first time since 2006, Team USA defeated Mexico at the World Baseball Classic.
With Paul Skenes dealing early, and a few home runs by the star-studded lineup, Team USA defeated Mexico 5-3 on Monday night inside Daikin Park in Pool B play.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
Team USA starting pitcher and former LSU star Skenes set the tone by striking out Mexico’s leadoff hitter Jarren Duran of the Boston Red Sox. Skenes then got two more quick outs for a three-up-three-down inning.
With two outs in the bottom frame, Aaron Judge laced a line drive single off of Manny Barreda. Kyle Schwarber and Alex Bregman drew back-to-back walks to load the bases. Barreda got out of the jam by getting Cal Raleigh to strike out on a check swing.
Skenes continued to deal, striking out more Mexican hitters in the top of the second, and then doing it again in the third inning.
Team USA looked primed to plate a run in the bottom of the second as Roman Anthony drew a leadoff walk. Two batters later, Brice Turang doubled into right field, but Anthony was thrown out trying to cross home plate.
Mexico put a runner with two outs in the bottom of the third as Joey Ortiz reached on a throwing error by Brice Turang. Duran hit a single into right field, but Aaron Judge fielded the hit and then threw out Ortiz at third base.
Team USA’s offense got going in the bottom of the third.
Bryce Harper led off with a single that actually hit Mexican pitcher Jesus Cruz. Judge then came to the plate and lifted a pitch from Cruz over the right field wall for a two-run home run.
Schwarber then hit a single and was joined on the base paths by Raleigh, who was plunked. Anthony then stepped in the batter’s box and hit a three-run home run.
Mexico pushed a run across in the bottom of the sixth with a solo home run by Duran off of Matthew Boyd, and then added another run on a single by Joey Meneses. Mexico would put two more runners on the base paths, but Boyd got out of the inning.
Mexico would push across another run in the eighth as Duran hit his second solo home run of the night.
Team USA would turn to Garrett Whitlock to close the door in the ninth. The Boston Red Sox pitcher gave up a single to the leadoff hitter but would strike out the next two hitters and get the next batter to ground out to pick up the save.
BIG NUMBER: 2
With Monday’s win, Team USA defeated Mexico for only the second time in WBC games. The USA team won the first meeting in 2006, 2-0, but then lost in the second round of that same year 2-1. Mexico defeated Team USA 5-2 in the first round in 2013 and then 11-5 in the first round in 2023.
PLAYERS OF THE GAME: PAUL SKENES & AARON JUDGE
Skenes was sensational in his first WBC appearance as he gave up zero runs on one hit while striking out seven in four innings of work. Judge went 2-for-3 with a two-run home run and two walks and had a sensational throw out of a runner at third to boot.
UP NEXT: Team USA (3-0) will now take on Italy in Pool B play on Tuesday at 7 p.m.