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After three straight wins to start the 2026 World Baseball Classic (WBC), Team USA locked up a spot in the quarterfinal round after defeating Mexico, 5-3, in Houston on Monday night.
Mexico has emerged victorious in each of the last three matchups against the United States, including the 2023 match that ended with El Tri defeating the Stars and Stripes, 11-5.
But thanks to the power bat of captain Aaron Judge and 21-year-old Boston Red Sox phenom Roman Anthony, Team USA was able to end that streak at Daikin Park.
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Aaron Judge of the United States reacts by hitting a home run in the third inning during a Group B game of the World Baseball Classic between Mexico and the United States at Daikin Park on March 9, 2026, in Houston, Texas. (Houston Astros/Getty Images)
After the United States failed to take advantage of bases loaded in the first and runners in the second, Judge wasted no time hitting his second home run of the tournament, driving Jesús Cruz to right field for a 2-0 lead.
Then, after Kyle Schwarber singled to right field and Cal Raleigh was hit by a pitch, Anthony didn’t miss a pitch inside. The towering moonshot took forever to land, and Anthony, who was gunned down at the plate in the bottom of the second inning, got some redemption by opening the game.
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The tone was certainly set by Paul Skenes, who made his first start for Team USA in the WBC and was spectacular. He allowed just one hit and struck out seven batters in four innings (60 pitches).
Skenes’ repertoire was electric as usual, with strong sinkers and changeups along with a 90 mph fastball. The former Air Force Academy pitcher had been looking forward to this moment for a long time and did not waste the opportunity to help his team.
Paul Skenes of the United States reacts in the first inning during a Group B game of the World Baseball Classic between Mexico and the United States at Daikin Park on March 9, 2026, in Houston, Texas. (Houston Astros/Getty Images)
After the five-run inning, the American bats went a bit quiet, giving Mexico a chance to gain momentum.
It was Anthony’s Red Sox teammate Jarren Durán who put El Tri on the board with a solo home run off Chicago Cubs ace Matthew Boys.
And that wouldn’t be Durán’s only big fly ball, as he was clearly seeing the ball well in Houston. After an infield single by Joey Meneses scored Jonathan Aranda later in the top of the sixth inning to make the game 5-2, Durán led off the top of the eighth inning with a 374-foot shot to right field off Boyd again.
Griffin Jax was called on by manager Mark DeRosa to clean up the frame, and Garrett Whitlock closed the door in the ninth inning to secure the win.
With a 3-0 record, the United States does not have a do-or-die situation in its final group game against Italy on Tuesday night. Of course, they would love to remain undefeated and carry momentum into games that will resemble a Game 7 in the postseason every time they advance.
Aaron Judge of the United States hits a home run in the third inning during a Group B game of the World Baseball Classic between Mexico and the United States at Daikin Park on March 9, 2026, in Houston, Texas. (Houston Astros/Getty Images)
Team USA and Italy will face off at Daikin Park on Tuesday night at 8 pm ET.
