San Francisco Frontiers - Judge, Skenes deliver as USA reach World Baseball Classic quarters

NYSE - LSE

RBGPF	0.12%	82.5	$
NGG	0.61%	90.41	$
RIO	0.15%	90.35	$
AZN	0.37%	194.95	$
CMSC	0.15%	23.22	$
BP	0.52%	40.65	$
BTI	0.79%	58.33	$
RYCEF	-0.36%	16.9	$
GSK	1.8%	55.51	$
RELX	0%	35.68	$
VOD	-0.21%	14.48	$
JRI	0.08%	12.58	$
BCC	-1.15%	74.49	$
CMSD	-0.17%	23.16	$
BCE	-0.7%	25.88	$

Judge, Skenes deliver as USA reach World Baseball Classic quarters

SPORTS 10.03.2026

Judge, Skenes deliver as USA reach World Baseball Classic quarters / Photo: © GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP

Aaron Judge and Roman Anthony drove in home runs while pitcher Paul Skenes delivered a gem as the United States punched their ticket to the quarter-finals of the World Baseball Classic on Monday with a 5-3 victory over Mexico in Houston.

Text size:

New York Yankees slugger Judge hammered a two-run shot to right field off Mexico pitcher Jesus Cruz to give the USA a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the third inning in the Pool B clash.

Cruz was exposed again soon afterwards when Boston Red Sox outfielder Roman Anthony pounced on an 85 mile-an-hour slider to crush a 417-foot homer into right center field.

That three-run shot sent Kyle Schwarber and Cal Raleigh over home plate and gave the USA a 5-0 lead.

Mexico's batting lineup meanwhile was kept scoreless after a masterful four innings from Pittsburgh ace Paul Skenes, the 2025 National League Cy Young Award winner making his tournament debut.

Skenes finished with seven strikeouts in four scoreless innings to take the sting out of the Mexican lineup early on.

Mexico threatened a comeback after a pair of home runs in the sixth and eighth innings from Jarren Duran made it 5-3, before Boston reliever Garrett Whitlock came in to close out the ninth successfully.

The win marked a noticeable uptick in intensity after the USA's comfortable opening victories over Brazil and Great Britain, a fact reflected by Judge's passionate reaction after his third inning homer.

"It's playoff baseball in March – that's what it's all about," Judge said afterwards. "A little bit of March madness here, and I love it. The fans came with it today. This was a fun atmosphere, an exciting atmosphere and the boys were ready to go.

"This place got pretty rowdy when Mexico got going, but the boys stayed locked in and delivered a win."

The result leaves the USA on track to top Pool B and could leave them facing Cuba in the quarter-finals on Friday.

W.Carter--SFF

Featured

Alcaraz battles back to reach Indian Wells fourth round

Carlos Alcaraz had to dig deep to extend his 2026 unbeaten run, rallying from a set and a break down to beat Arthur Rinderknech 6-7 (6/8), 6-3, 6-2 in the third round at Indian Wells on Monday.

Rosenior back in France as Chelsea face PSG Champions League challenge

The renewal of Chelsea's rivalry with Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League this week sees Liam Rosenior make a quick return to France, just two months after he left Strasbourg for Stamford Bridge.

Arsenal favourites against Leverkusen in Champions League last 16

Wednesday's Champions League action sees Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea meet for the first time since last year's Club World Cup final, while Real Madrid host Manchester City in the first leg of their last-16 tie as the sides clash in a knockout tie for the fifth season running:

Gilgeous-Alexander equals scoring record as Thunder roll Nuggets

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander equalled Wilt Chamberlain's 63-year-old 20-point scoring record on Monday as the Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the Denver Nuggets 129-126 in a pulsating clash of the Western Conference titans.