Team USA’s World Baseball Classic hopes take massive hit
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
The USA team suffered a blowout upset of Italy in the World Baseball Classic on Tuesday night, jeopardizing its hopes of advancing to the quarterfinal round.
Italians Kyle Teel, Sam Antonacci and Jac Caglianone played in the Americans’ last match in pool play. Italy defeated the USA 8-6.
CLICK HERE TO GET MORE SPORTS NEWS ON FOXNEWS.COM
U.S. pitcher Brad Keller (40) walks to the dugout in the middle of the sixth inning of the World Baseball Classic game against Italy on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Italian starter Michael Lorenzen allowed two hits in 4.2 scoreless innings. The USA got two positives from Pete Crow-Armstrong and Gunnar Henderson, but their rallies fell short.
Aaron Judge had a chance to extend the game for the USA in the ninth inning but missed the chance.
“This is the hardest thing,” he said. “You always like to have your destiny in your own hands and we did that up front and Italy came out swinging.”
The Americans trailed 8-1 in the seventh inning before Crow-Armstrong’s home run.
ITALY’S SAUSAGE ESPRESSO MACHINE TRADITION RAISES HOT START IN WORLD BASEBALL CLASSIC
Italy catcher Kyle Teel (3) celebrates running the bases after hitting a home run against the United States during the World Baseball Classic game in Houston on Tuesday, March 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
The USA appeared to be facing a confusing situation, probably thinking they had already secured a spot in the next round. Coach Mark DeRosa appeared to be thinking about this when he said on a television show that the team wanted to win the game “even though our ticket to the quarterfinals is sealed.”
DeRosa said he “misspoke” and Judge added that he didn’t think the players thought their spots were already secured.
“This is out of our control now,” he said. “We just need a little luck and we’ll see what happens.”
Now the United States will have to hope Italy beats Mexico. If Mexico wins, all three teams will move to a tiebreaker at 3-1 and 1-1 against each other.
U.S. center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong (4) celebrates after hitting a home run against Italy in the ninth inning of the World Baseball Classic game in Houston on Tuesday, March 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
CLICK TO DOWNLOAD FOX NEWS APPLICATION
The tiebreaker is the number of runs allowed in games between tied teams. The U.S. can advance if it wins at least five rounds, even if Mexico wins.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Follow Fox News Digital Sports streaming on X and subscribe Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
