Kyle Schwarber hit a two-run home run and Team USA beat Great Britain 9-1, giving the U. S. a 2-0 start in Pool B of the World Baseball Classic. Saturday at 9: 30 p. m. ET, the baseball victory highlighted a balanced lineup and dominant pitching that extended the Americans’ early tournament momentum.
Baseball: Schwarber’s 427-foot Drive Breaks Tie in Fifth Inning
Great Britain struck first when Nate Eaton homered on Tarik Skubal’s first pitch, giving Britain an early 1-0 lead. U. S. hitters had managed just one single until Ernie Clement reached on an error by third baseman Ivan Johnson to start the fifth inning; Pete Crow-Armstrong doubled and Clement scored on a wild pitch by Andre Scrubb to tie the game at 1-1. Schwarber followed with a 427-foot two-run homer that landed near the back of the second deck in right field and put the United States ahead 3-1.
Gunnar Henderson’s Four Hits and Aaron Judge’s 109. 6 mph RBI Propel Rally
Gunnar Henderson finished with four hits and two RBIs, delivering a two-run single later in the fifth to extend the lead to 5-1. The U. S. added insurance in the sixth when Aaron Judge produced an RBI single recorded at 109. 6 mph as part of a three-run inning that pushed the score to 8-1. Those contributions helped the Americans pull away while Britain managed only the initial homer from Eaton and no further offense.
Tarik Skubal’s Short Start and Team USA Pitching Plans Ahead
Tarik Skubal allowed two hits and struck out five batters in three innings; that outing was scheduled to be his only start of the tournament before he returns to spring training with the Detroit Tigers on Sunday. Across the pitching staff, Team USA combined strong strikeout totals and control, and the roster will pause until its next scheduled start: reigning NL Cy Young Award winner Paul Skenes is slated to pitch Monday night against Mexico.
Britain fell to 0-2 in Pool B and was set to play Italy on Sunday, while the Americans improved to 2-0 in Houston and have an off day before Skenes’ start. More details about roster usage and upcoming matchups are expected as teams adjust during pool play.
The next confirmed event is Paul Skenes’ scheduled start for Team USA on Monday at 8: 00 p. m. ET against Mexico.
