In its first game of the 2023 World Baseball Classic, Team USA defeated Great Britain, 6-2, at Chase Field in Phoenix to open pool play.
Great Britain got out to an early lead, as Trayce Thompson homered off Adam Wainwright in the top of the first inning. Thompson, the most experienced major league player on Great Britain’s roster, is eligible to play for the team through his father, Bahamian former NBA star Mychal Thompson.
Team USA trailed 1-0 for a few innings, but WBC veteran Nolan Arenado tied the game with an RBI double in the third inning. Then, Kyle Tucker gave the Americans the lead by driving in Arenado with an RBI single.
While Great Britain held its own in its first-ever WBC game, Team USA blew the game open in the fourth inning, thanks to the reigning National League home run leader. Phillies outfielder Kyle Schwarber smashed a three-run homer to put the game out of reach.
“It’s definitely a moment that you’re not gonna forget,” Schwarber said about the homer. “To be here and doing it with this group of guys, it’s really cool.”
Team USA’s powerhouse lineup finished the game with six runs on nine hits, but manager Mark DeRosa believes there is more production to come.
“I expect the offense to ramp up even more,” he said, via MLB.com.
Wainwright, who is about to enter his 18th season with the Cardinals, has pitched in big games over his entire career, including the World Series. Yet his first start for Team USA was special.
“I thought it was probably the most exciting game I’ve pitched in a long time, honestly,” he said. “I mean, it was so fun. Crowd was rocking early, we had the ‘U-S-A’ chant going.”
Team USA will face Mexico at 10 p.m. ET Sunday in Phoenix, with a chance to cement its place atop Pool D. Padres pitcher Nick Martinez is expected to start for the Americans against the Angels’ Patrick Sandoval for Mexico.
