In both teams first official game of the World Baseball Classic, Team USA defeated Great Britain 6-2 to open Pool C play.
Furthermore, it’s a title defense for Team USA, as they previously won the last World Baseball Classic that was held in 2017. However, the team returns with just two players from the winning roster, marking a fresh experience for the majority of players.
Adam Wainwright, 41-years-old, got the start on the mound for USA. He secured the win after pitching 4.0 innings and allowing just five hits and one run with four strikeouts.
Great Britain jumped out to an early lead after a solo home run by Trace Thompson put them ahead 1-0. On an inexperienced roster, Thompson — who plays for the Los Angeles Dodgers — is one of a few that do.
Team USA evened the score 1-1 in the bottom-half of the third inning. St. Louis Cardinals’ Nolan Arenado ripped an RBI double on the ground down the left field line. Houston Astros’ Kyle Tucker tacked on more run in the same inning with an RBI single up in the middle.
Philadelphia Phillies’ Kyle Schwarber opened up the game up in the fourth, blasting a three-run home run over the right-center field fence.
Arenado brought in the final run for Team USA in the sixth. He doubled down the left-field line again, this time through the air.
D’Shawn Knowles, who plays for the Tri-City Dust Devils (High-A Affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels), brought in Great Britain’s final run in the top-half of the seventh. He ripped an RBI triple to right field, bringing their run total to two.
Moreover, Arenado, the star of the game, ended 3-5 with two doubles, two RBI, and one run. Along with his bat, it was Arenado’s defense that helped Team USA secure its first win in the World Baseball Classic.
Team USA returns to the field Sunday, Mar. 12, to take on Mexico.
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