The United States opened its World Baseball Classic campaign with a 15-5 victory over Brazil on Friday night at Daikin Park in Houston.
Aaron Judge hit a two-run home run and Brice Turang collected three hits and four RBI to lead the American offense. The United States scored seven runs in the ninth inning to pull away late after Brazil had cut the deficit to three.
Judge gave the United States an early lead in the first inning with a two-run homer off Bo Takahashi. Brazil responded when Lucas Ramirez led off with a home run to make it 2-1. Byron Buxton later drove in a run after being hit by a pitch in the fifth inning, and Turang followed with a bases-clearing double to extend the lead to 7-1.
Brazil mounted a comeback attempt in the later innings. Lucas Rojo delivered an RBI single in the seventh before Victor Mascai hit a two-run home run off Michael Wacha to trim the deficit to 7-4. Ramirez added his second home run of the game in the eighth inning, becoming the youngest player in World Baseball Classic history to record a multi-homer game at 20 years and 49 days old.
The United States responded with a seven-run ninth inning that included an RBI single from Bryce Harper to secure the win. American hitters also drew 17 walks as Brazil’s pitching staff threw 221 pitches.
Brazil, appearing in the tournament for the first time since 2013, dropped to 0-4 all-time in World Baseball Classic play.
The United States will play Britain in its next game on Saturday at 8 p.m.
Kyle leads sports coverage and hosts the Concrete Jungle podcast. Have a lead or question? Send it to [email protected].