March 10, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Italy is celebrating a two-run home run by Italian shortstop Sam Antonacci (10) against the United States in the second inning at Daikin Park. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-Imagn Image Kyle Teel, Sam Antonacci and Jac Caglianone all homered for Italy, which moved to the top of the World Baseball Classic’s Pool B standings after beating the United States 8-6 in Houston on Tuesday night.
Italy, which led 8-0 until Team USA rallied in the final four innings, is up 3-0 in Pool B play and will look to clinch a spot in the quarterfinals with a win over Mexico in Wednesday’s final.
A win by Italy on Wednesday would secure the final spot in Group B for the Americans, who finished 3-1.
If Mexico (2-1) beats Italy, the team along with the United States will finish Group B at 3-1. The first tiebreaker is a head-to-head record, with all three teams at 1-1. The second tiebreaker is the fewest runs per out in a head-to-head match.
The U.S. team allowed 11 runs and 54 outs (.2037 per outing) against Italy and Mexico, while Mexico allowed 24 outs and 5 runs (.2083 per outing) against the United States. Italy allowed six runs in 27 outs (0.222 runs per outing) against Team USA on Tuesday.
As a result, Team USA needs Italy to win, which would require Mexico to either eliminate them or win while conceding at least six goals. Mexico advanced with a win by under five points.
Starter Michael Lorenzen pitched 4 2/3 innings, allowing two hits, one walk and striking out two to earn the win for Italy.
Teel hit a solo blast and Antonacci added a two-run homer off Team USA starter Nolan McLean in the second inning. Caglianone hit a two-run shot in Game 4 against Ryan Yarborough and Italy added three more runs in the sixth. JJ D’Orazio scored on an error by Team USA pitcher Brad Keller and after Dante Nori lofted a sacrifice fly, Antonacci scored on a wild pitch from Keller.
The U.S. national team’s comeback began with Gunnar Henderson’s solo shot in the sixth inning, and Pete Crow-Armstrong hit a three-run shot, the first of two home runs in the seventh, to make it 8-4. Roman Anthony hit an RBI single in the eighth and Crow-Armstrong went deep in the ninth with one out against Ron Marinaccio to cut the deficit to 8-6.
Greg Weissert came in and gave up a single to Bobby Witt Jr. before striking out Henderson and Team USA captain Aaron Judge to get the save.
Teel went 2-for-2 before exiting with a leg injury after a double in the sixth inning. Caglianone also had two of Italy’s six hits.
Witt and Will Smith each had two hits for Team USA, giving them 11 hits.
McLean allowed three runs on two hits and two walks while striking out four in three innings.
–Field level media
