Final Score — USA 15, Brazil 5
Team USA opens its World Baseball Classic campaign in commanding fashion, with a 10-run victory over Brazil. Read below for a live recap of the opener in Houston:
Pregame
Team USA's starting lineup features eight All-Stars, with Logan Webb taking the bump for the stars and stripes.
- Bobby Witt Jr. - SS
- Bryce Harper - 1B
- Aaron Judge - RF
- Kyle Schwarber - DH
- Alex Bregman - 3B
- Cal Raleigh - C
- Roman Anthony - LF
- Byron Buxton - CF
- Brice Turang - 2B
- Logan Webb - SP
Top 1st — USA 2, Brazil 0
After a leadoff single from Bobby Witt Jr., Aaron Judge launches a two-run bomb to left field to put Team USA up early. It was the first swing of the World Baseball Classic for the Team USA captain.
Bottom 1st — USA 2, Brazil 1
Lucas Ramirez responds with a homer for Team Brazil in the bottom half to cut into Team USA's lead.
Top 3rd — USA 3, Brazil 1
Kyle Schwarber gets the run back for Team USA with some savvy baserunning. After singling to start the inning, Schwarber takes second on a wild pitch and scores on another.
Top 5th — USA 7, Brazil 1
Team USA loads up the bases after walks from Alex Bregman, Cal Raleigh, and Roman Anthony, before Byron Buxton brings home a run with a hit-by-pitch. Brice Turang then breaks the game open with a rocket off the left field wall to clear the bases and double Team USA's lead. Turang has two doubles on the game.
Bottom 7th — USA 7, Brazil 4
After two dominant innings, Michael Wacha surrenders an RBI single to Lucas Rojo on a line drive to center field. Victor Mascai follows this up with a two-run blast that puts Team Brazil back in the game.
Top 8th — USA 8, Brazil 4
Judge walks to start off the eighth before coming around to score on a single from Anthony. The RBI from Team USA's youngest member stretches the lead to four.
Bottom 8th — USA 8, Brazil 5
Lucas Ramirez, son of World Series Champion Manny Ramirez, hits a towering shot to right field for a solo homer. His second round-tripper of the evening keeps Team Brazil in striking distance.
Top 9th — USA 15, Brazil 5
Team USA erupts in its last go against Brazil's pitching staff, batting all the way around and scoring seven runs to cap off the night. Turang starts things off with his third hit and second stolen base of the evening, followed by an RBI single from Bryce Harper. A walk parade then ensues with Judge, Schwarber, Bregman, and Raleigh earning four consecutive trips to first base. After another RBI single from Anthony and a bases-loaded walk for Pete Crow-Armstrong, Turang records his fourth RBI of the night on a groundout. The stars and stripes offense finishes the WBC opener with 10 hits and 17 walks.
