Aaron Judge delivered a crucial two-run homer and Roman Anthony added a three-run blast as Team USA defeated Mexico 5-3 in the World Baseball Classic at Houston's Daikin Park. The victory improved the Americans to 3-0 in Group B play, setting up a Tuesday night matchup against Italy for a spot in the quarterfinals.

Jarren Duran homered twice for Mexico, which fell to 2-1 in the tournament. The game drew a sellout crowd of 41,628 that heavily favored Mexico. Paul Skenes, the reigning NL Cy Young Award winner, pitched four strong innings, allowing one hit and striking out seven as the U.S. avenged their 2023 WBC loss to Mexico.

Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber contributed key hits in the decisive third inning, while Griffin Jax closed out the eighth with a crucial double-play grounder. The Americans' offense exploded for five runs in the third, building a lead that held despite Duran's late surge. Team USA now controls their quarterfinal destiny heading into the Italy showdown.