WBC: Big Third Inning Powers United States Past Mexico

Bobby Witt Jr of the United States stealing second against Mexico in the World Baseball Classic

Photo by Kenneth Richmond/Getty Images

March 9, 2026

United States 5, Mexico 3

HOUSTON (Mar. 9) — A five-run surge in the third gave the United States the separation it needed to hold firm for a 5–3 victory over Mexico on Monday night in Pool B of the World Baseball Classic.

United States – Mexico Game Summary

The first scoring chance came in the bottom of the first, when the United States loaded the bases with two outs for Cal Raleigh. However, he struck out, stranding the runners. Another scoring chance came in the bottom of the second. With one out and Roman Anthony on first, Brice Turang ripped a double to right. Anthony, running to second on the pitch, rounded third and headed home. Jarren Duran, who had run down the ball before it reached the fence, fired to relay man Nick Gonzales, who sent a dart to catcher Alejandro Kirk. It arrived in time to tag Anthony on the calf for the second out.

A half-inning later, with Joey Ortiz on first after reaching on a two-out Turang error, Duran hit a soft liner to right for a base hit. The hustling Ortiz rounded second and headed to third. Judge fielded the ball on one hop and fired to third. Alex Bregman, after faking like no throw was coming, stabbed the throw on one hop and barely had to move his glove to tag the sliding Ortiz a few feet shy of the bag.

Getting on the Board

In the next half inning — the bottom of the third — Aaron Judge put the United States ahead of Mexico with a two-run clout several rows deep in the right-field seats. Anthony made the lead 5–0 later in the inning with a soaring, majestic three-run bomb off the face of the second deck in right-center.

In the top of the sixth, Duran made the score 5–1 with a solo shot to the Crawford Boxes in left. It became 5–2 later in the frame when Joey Meneses drove a run in on a high, slow bouncer that Turang couldn’t come up with. Duran narrowed the gap again to 5–3 with a towering solo homer to right in the top of the eighth. Mexico brought the tying run to bat in the ninth after a leadoff Meneses single, but United States reliever Garrett Whitlock recorded two strikeouts and a grounder to second to seal the victory.

What Went Right for the United States

Starting Pitching

Paul Skenes gave the United States exactly what it needed: early stability and a path to that decisive third inning. He tossed four scoreless innings, allowing one hit and one walk with seven strikeouts.

Built a Big Inning

The third inning changed everything. Judge’s two-run blast broke open a scoreless game, and Anthony’s three-run drive off the face of the second deck pushed the margin to 5–0. It was the only inning in which the United States scored, but it was enough. That surge forced Mexico to play from behind the rest of the night and gave the United States room to absorb Mexico’s comeback attempts.

Defense

Two early plays kept the game scoreless and gave the United States momentum. In the second, Judge’s throw to third cut down Joey Ortiz to end a potential rally. One inning earlier, Mexico had erased a United States scoring chance with a relay to the plate, but Judge’s answer in the top of the third was a perfect counterpunch.

What Went Wrong for the United States

The Sixth and Eighth Innings

Mexico’s offense came alive in two bursts. Duran’s solo shot in the sixth put Mexico on the board, and Meneses’ slow bouncer later in the inning trimmed the margin to 5–2. Duran struck again in the eighth with a towering drive to right, bringing Mexico within two.

What Went Right for Mexico

Starting Pitching

Mexico starter Manny Barreda kept the United States off the board through the first two innings and escaped two scoring threats — a bases‑loaded jam in the first and a double in the second that nearly produced a run.

Stopped the Bleeding after the Third

After the five‑run surge, Mexico’s relief corps settled the game. They held the United States scoreless from the fourth inning onward, giving their offense a chance to climb back.

What Went Wrong for Mexico

The Third Inning

Everything turned in that frame. Judge’s two‑run drive flipped the scoreboard, and Anthony’s three‑run blast put Mexico in a deep hole. The inning forced Mexico to chase the rest of the night, and although they chipped away, the early deficit proved too steep.

Injury Scare

Mexico reliever Jesus Cruz took a Bryce Harper line-drive comebacker off the foot in the bottom of the third. Harper was the first batter he faced. After the medical staff checked him and he walked it off for a few minutes, he stayed in the game.

Looking Ahead

Skenes earned the win for the United States as Cruz took the loss for Mexico in relief. Whitlock notched the save.

Mexico is off Tuesday, but the United States will face 2–0 Italy in a crucial game. With a win over Italy Tuesday, the United States would clinch a spot in the quarterfinals and win Pool B. First pitch will be at 8 pm Central Time.