Team USA edged Mexico 5-3 in a tense Pool B matchup at the 2026 World Baseball Classic on Monday night in Houston. Paul Skenes delivered a dominant four-inning start with seven strikeouts, while Aaron Judge and Roman Anthony powered the offense with home runs. Defensive highlights from both sides kept the game close until the end.
The United States and Mexico entered their Pool B clash at Daikin Park both undefeated at 2-0, making the outcome crucial for advancement. Paul Skenes, the reigning NL Cy Young winner, set the tone early for Team USA, striking out the side in the first inning, including Jarren Duran, on just 30 pitches while hitting 100 mph. Mexico starter Manny Barreda escaped a bases-loaded jam in the bottom of the first by striking out Cal Raleigh after Aaron Judge singled and Kyle Schwarber and Alex Bregman walked.
In the second, Brice Turang doubled with Roman Anthony on first after a walk, but Anthony was thrown out at home on a perfect relay from Duran to Nick Gonzales to Alejandro Kirk, preserving the scoreless tie. Skenes followed with another 1-2-3 inning, adding two more strikeouts.
The third saw Mexico's first baserunners on a Turang error and Duran's single, but Judge gunned down Joey Ortiz at third from right field with a 91.8 mph throw. Moments later, in the bottom half, Bryce Harper singled and Judge crushed a two-run homer to right-center for a 2-0 lead. After Schwarber singled and Raleigh was hit by a pitch, Anthony belted a three-run homer off Jesus Cruz, extending the advantage to 5-0 in a five-run inning.
Bobby Witt Jr. shone defensively, diving to rob Kirk in the fourth and Gonzales in the fifth with an 89 mph throw to first. Skenes exited after four innings with one hit, one walk, and 60 pitches.
Matthew Boyd relieved in the sixth and allowed a solo homer to Duran, cutting the lead to 5-1. Joey Meneses added an RBI single in the inning for 5-2. Duran homered again leading off the eighth against Boyd, making it 5-3. Randy Arozarena was hit by a pitch, but Griffin Jax induced a double play from Kirk to end the threat. In the ninth, Garrett Whitlock retired the side despite a Meneses single, securing the win.
The victory improves USA to 3-0, while Mexico falls to 2-1. Witt's plays drew praise from Patrick Mahomes, and Kevin Durant called Skenes a 'dawg' after his start.
