In an electric atmosphere that felt more like a championship final than a pool-play matchup, Team USA defeated Mexico 5-3 on Monday night, March 9, 2026. The victory at Houston’s Daikin Park was more than just a notch in the win column—it marked the first time the United States has beaten Mexico in the World Baseball Classic since the tournament’s inaugural year in 2006.
The star-studded American roster, led by captain Aaron Judge and breakout prospect Roman Anthony, finally broke the “Mexico hex” that had seen the U.S. lose three consecutive WBC matchups against their southern rivals. With this win, Team USA moves to 3-0 in Pool B, putting them in the driver’s seat for a quarterfinal berth.
The Power of the Third Inning
The game remained a tense scoreless tie until the bottom of the third, when the American bats finally woke up the sellout crowd of 41,628. After a Bryce Harper single, Aaron Judge sent a towering two-run home run into the right-field seats, giving the U.S. an initial 2-0 lead.
The onslaught didn’t stop there. Later in the same inning, with two runners on, 21-year-old Roman Anthony—one of the youngest players on the roster—crushed a three-run blast that hit the facing of the upper deck. The 5-0 lead seemed insurmountable, especially with the way the U.S. pitching was performing.
For a play-by-play breakdown of the scoring, the provides the most comprehensive data on the “Judge-Anthony” explosion.
Skenes Dazzles in His WBC Debut
While the hitters provided the fireworks, Paul Skenes provided the foundation. The 2025 National League Cy Young winner was nearly untouchable in his four innings of work. Skenes allowed just one hit and one walk while racking up seven strikeouts, effectively silencing a Mexican lineup that had been red-hot entering the week.
Skenes’ triple-digit fastball and devastating “splinker” kept Mexico off-balance, proving why many consider him the best young arm in the world. To see more exclusive scouting reports on Skenes and the rest of the 2026 American rotation, offers a deep dive into the “Arms of the USA.”
Mexico’s Late Surge: The Duran Scare
Despite trailing 5-0, Mexico refused to go quietly. Jarren Duran single-handedly brought the Mexican fans back to life with two solo home runs—one in the sixth and another in the eighth. When Joey Meneses drove in an infield single to cut the lead to 5-2, the momentum shifted visibly.
The tension peaked in the top of the ninth when Mexico brought the tying run to the plate. However, Boston Red Sox reliever Garrett Whitlock entered the game to face his MLB teammate, Duran, and managed to secure the final outs to save the game. Our sports culture desk has been following the unique dynamic of teammates-turned-rivals during this tournament, which has added a layer of psychological drama to the games.
A Rivalry Renewed
“The atmosphere was unbelievable. You didn’t know who the home team was,” Paul Skenes remarked after the game. Indeed, the crowd was split nearly down the middle, with “U-S-A” chants competing against the deafening roars of Mexican supporters.
Mexico manager Benji Gil, despite the loss, remains optimistic about a potential rematch. “I hope we play them again in Miami for the title,” Gil said. To see how this result reshapes the and Lifestyle landscape of the tournament, check out our latest bracket projections.
What’s Next?
Team USA will look to sweep Pool B as they face Italy tonight, Tuesday, March 10. A win would officially clinch the top seed for the Americans, potentially setting up a quarterfinal date with Cuba or Japan. For now, the U.S. can rest easy knowing they have finally overcome their greatest WBC hurdle.
