USA Blasts Brazil 15-5 in WBC Opener

Aaron Judge celebrates after hitting home run during 2026 World Baseball Classic

Team USA scores tournament-high 15 runs, led by Aaron Judge's early homer and Brice Turang's big double.

“He's 17 years old up there throwing 100 miles per hour (fastballs) with a changeup and a sinker...”

Team USA started their 2026 World Baseball Classic campaign with a bang, defeating Brazil 15-5 and setting the tournament record for most runs scored in a single game. Aaron Judge led the charge with a first-inning home run, and Brice Turang added a bases-clearing double in the fifth inning. The USA's offense was relentless, drawing 17 walks and putting up seven runs in the ninth inning to seal the win.

Brazil fought hard, with Lucas Ramirez hitting two solo home runs, but it wasn't enough to keep up with the star-studded USA lineup. The win puts Team USA at the top of Pool B, and they'll look to keep the momentum going against Great Britain on Saturday.

Brazil's pitching staff was wild, walking 17 batters – the most by any team in this tournament. That took a toll on their pitchers, throwing 221 pitches.

USA's offense was solid, Roman Anthony and Kyle Schwarber leading the charge with 2 hits each. They combined for 4 runs, 4 walks, and 2 RBIs.

Logan Webb snatched the win, tossing 4 solid innings with 6 Ks and just 1 run allowed.

The U.S. takes on Great Britain tonight at 8:00 p.m. ET, looking to stay on top in Pool B after crushing Brazil 15-5 yesterday. Great Britain, on the other hand, is seeking a win after a tough 8-2 loss to Mexico.

Meanwhile, Brazil faces Italy earlier today at 1:00 p.m. ET.

Aaron Judge homers and Team USA plates 15 runs in an opening game victory over Team Brazil! #WorldBaseballClassic pic.twitter.com/6I4hPBMQHd

— World Baseball Classic (@WBCBaseball) March 7, 2026

Early Explosion

Team USA wasted no time, scoring 2 in the first! Bobby Witt Jr. got things going with a single, then Aaron Judge crushed a hanging slider for a 2-run homer, putting USA up 2-1.

That lead was slashed a half-inning later when Brazil's Lucas Ramirez launched a solo home run himself to cut the lead to 2-1. 

Lucas is the son of Boston Red Sox legendary hitter Manny Ramirez and is only 20 years old.

Brazil starting pitcher Bo Takahashi was taken out of the game following his rough first inning that put Brazil down 2-0. 

Then in came 17-year-old Joseph Contreras - the youngest player of any team in the 2026 World Baseball Classic. Despite giving up a run on two hits and three walks, Contreras was able to force the reigning AL MVP into a double play to end the third inning.

USA kept piling on, Brazil's pitching struggles continuing. Cal Raleigh walked home to make it 3-1, then Byron Buxton got hit by a pitch, bringing home another run: 4-1.

After the game, Aaron Judge said with a smile, “He's 17 years old up there throwing 100 miles per hour (fastballs) with a changeup and a sinker...”

Brice Turang cleared the bases with a huge 3-run double, blowing the game open 7-1. He ended up 3-for-6 with 1 run and 4 RBI – big day for Turang.

It wouldn't be until the seventh inning that Brazil started to show some life in their bats. 

After Lucas Rojo would bring home a run on an RBI single, Victor Mascai would hit Brazil's second home run of the game to make it 7-4 in the bottom of the seventh inning. 

USA added another, Anthony's RBI single made it 8-4. Then Lucas Ramirez  hit his 2nd homer, Brazil's 3rd – 8-5 in the 8th.

But from there, it was all Team USA. They would go on to score seven more runs, with three from walking batters alone with bases loaded. 

Turang, Anthony, and Bryce Harper all brought in runs during the inning before closer Mason Miller finished it off to end the 15-5 win.