Jarren Duran is making a significant impact at the 2026 World Baseball Classic, boasting some of the tournament’s best offensive numbers through just three games.
The Boston Red Sox outfielder has recorded 5 runs, 5 hits, 1 double, 3 home runs, 5 RBIs and a .500 batting average in 10 at-bats so far in the competition.
Aaron Judge hit a two-run homer and Roman Anthony added a three-run drive in a big third inning to lead the United States over Mexico 5-3 in the World Baseball Classic at Houston’s Daikin Park on Monday night, March 9, 2026.
The U.S. Improved to 3-0 and will meet Italy (2-0) on Tuesday night, seeking to secure a spot in the quarterfinals in Houston this weekend. Mexico (2-1) will face Italy Wednesday night in the last game of Group B play.
The game at Daikin Park drew a sellout crowd of 41,628, largely in support of Mexico. Reigning NL Cy Young Award winner Paul Skenes delivered a strong performance, allowing just one hit and striking out seven in four innings as the U.S. Secured its first WBC victory over Mexico since 2006. The Americans previously lost to Mexico 11-5 in 2023.
The U.S. Held a three-run lead entering the eighth inning, but Duran narrowed the gap with his second home run of the game off Matthew Boyd. Boyd then hit Randy Arozarena with a pitch before striking out Jonathan Aranda. Griffin Jax then induced a double-play grounder from Alejandro Kirk to end the inning.
The Americans began their offensive push in the third inning when Bryce Harper singled on a ball that hit reliever Jesus Cruz on the leg. Judge followed with his second home run of the tournament, an opposite-field drive to right field, putting the U.S. Up 2-0. Kyle Schwarber singled and Cal Raleigh was hit by a pitch before Anthony’s homer to right-center extended the lead to 5-0.
Duran continued his impressive form with a solo home run off Boyd in the sixth, cutting the U.S. Lead to 5-1. Later in the inning, with two on and two outs, Joey Meneses singled in a run to make it 5-2.
Elsewhere in the tournament, Fernando Tatis hit a grand slam and drove in six runs, leading the Dominican Republic to a 10-1 win over Israel and clinching a spot in the World Baseball Classic quarterfinals. The win secures a quarterfinal matchup against South Korea in Miami on Friday, while the loser will face Shohei Ohtani and Japan in Miami on Saturday.
Venezuela also secured a victory, defeating Nicaragua 4-0. The tournament is heating up as teams battle for a chance to compete for the championship.
