The energy inside Houston’s Daikin Park was absolutely electric on March 9, 2026, as Team USA and Mexico squared off in a World Baseball Classic pool play showdown that had fans on the edge of their seats from the very first pitch. With both nations entering the contest undefeated, anticipation was sky-high, and the stakes even higher. But it was Aaron Judge and Roman Anthony who stole the spotlight, delivering thunderous home runs and unforgettable moments that propelled the United States to a nail-biting 5-3 victory over their Pool B rivals.
Team USA’s captain, Aaron Judge, wasted no time reminding everyone why he’s considered one of the most feared hitters in the game. The Yankees slugger, fresh off a 405-foot blast in the tournament opener against Brazil, was at it again. In the bottom of the third inning, with the score still locked at zero, Judge stepped to the plate after Bryce Harper’s infield single. Facing Mexico’s reliever Jesús Cruz, who had just entered the game after starter Manny Barreda kept the Americans in check, Judge worked a 2-1 count. Then, with a flick of his powerful wrists, he drove a 364-foot opposite-field shot just over the right-field wall, igniting the crowd and putting Team USA up 2-0. According to Statcast, the homer left his bat at an impressive 101.5 mph.
“I love it,” Judge told Rosenthal after the game. “The fans came with it today. This was a fun atmosphere. An exciting atmosphere. The boys were ready to go.”
The fireworks didn’t stop there. Just a few batters later, Boston Red Sox phenom Roman Anthony stepped in and hammered a Cruz slider deep into the Houston night, sending it 417 feet off the upper-deck facade in right-center. The three-run blast extended the Americans’ lead to 5-0, marking a historic first: Team USA had never before started a World Baseball Classic game against Mexico with a lead. The five-run third inning looked, for a moment, like it might signal a blowout in favor of the Americans.
But Mexico wouldn’t go quietly. After Paul Skenes, the Pittsburgh Pirates’ Cy Young winner and Team USA ace, delivered a dominant four-inning start—allowing just one hit and one walk while striking out seven—things got a little dicey for the U.S. bullpen. Garrett Cleavinger tossed a scoreless fifth, but when Chicago Cubs All-Star Matthew Boyd took the mound in the sixth, Mexico’s bats came alive. Jarren Duran, the Red Sox All-Star, launched a solo home run to put Mexico on the board, and Boyd would surrender another run in the inning. By the eighth, Duran struck again, tagging Boyd for his second solo shot of the night and closing the gap to 5-3.
Boyd’s final line—five hits and three earned runs over 2 1/3 innings—left the Americans clinging to a narrow lead. As the tension mounted, U.S. manager Mark DeRosa turned to the bullpen. Garrett Whitlock was tasked with closing things out, but not without a little drama. Joey Meneses led off the ninth with a single, putting the tying run at the plate for the rest of the inning. Whitlock, however, kept his cool, retiring the next three batters and securing the win for Team USA. It wasn’t pretty, but the Americans got the job done, improving to 3-0 in pool play and seizing control of Pool B with just one game left before the knockout rounds.
While the home runs made the highlight reels, Judge’s impact was felt all over the field. In the top of the third, with the game still scoreless, Mexico threatened when Joey Ortiz tried to go first to third on a single by Jarren Duran. Judge, who had battled elbow issues throughout the previous MLB season, showed off his arm strength by unleashing a perfect 91.8 mph throw from right field to nail Ortiz at third base. The play not only ended the inning but also swung momentum firmly in the Americans’ favor. “Judge’s WBC cannon should put those questions to rest,” noted one report, referencing concerns about his arm health. The throw, tracked by Statcast, was a statement—Judge was back, and better than ever.
Judge finished his night 2-for-3 at the plate with two walks and two RBIs, continuing to build on his remarkable start to the tournament. His leadership, both with the bat and in the field, has been a driving force for Team USA. Roman Anthony, meanwhile, is quickly making a name for himself on the international stage. The Red Sox outfielder’s 417-foot moonshot not only padded the American lead but also showcased the depth and power of this year’s U.S. roster, which many have called the most talented in WBC history.
“The boys were ready to go,” Judge repeated. And it showed—not just in the box score, but in the energy and focus the team brought to every inning.
Through three games, the Americans have largely delivered on their pre-tournament favorite status. After a 15-5 rout of Brazil in Game 1 and a comfortable 9-1 win over Great Britain in Game 2, the close call against Mexico served as a timely reminder that no lead is safe in tournament baseball. Still, with a 3-0 record, Team USA stands atop Pool B heading into their final pool play matchup against Italy. The Americans haven’t clinched a knockout round berth yet—Italy and Mexico could still force a three-way tie at 3-1—but with their current form, they control their own destiny.
For Mexico, the loss was a tough pill to swallow, especially after rallying late and putting real pressure on the U.S. bullpen. Jarren Duran’s two-homer performance was a bright spot, and the team showed plenty of fight, refusing to let the Americans run away with it. With one game left in pool play, Mexico’s hopes of advancing remain alive, but the path just got a bit steeper.
As the World Baseball Classic rolls on, all eyes will be on Team USA to see if Judge, Anthony, and the rest of this star-studded roster can keep their momentum going. With Opening Day for MLB just over two weeks away, Judge’s form looks as sharp as ever—a promising sign for both Team USA and Yankees fans alike.
In Houston, the chants of “U-S-A!” echoed long after the final out, a testament to the passion and pride on display. One thing’s for sure: if the Americans keep playing like this, the road to the WBC title will run right through them.