Team USA dropped its final Pool B game to Italy 8-6 on Tuesday night. The Americans trailed 8-0 in the sixth, before scoring six unanswered runs. Aaron Judge came up to the plate as the tying run in the ninth inning, but struck out.
Nolan McLean tossed three innings where he gave up three runs, including two home runs while eventually being tagged with the loss. In relief Ryan Yarbrough threw 2 1/3 innings, giving up three more runs along with a homer. Brad Keller gave up two unearned runs over 2/3 of an inning. Gabe Speier, David Bednar, and Mason Miller each tossed a scoreless inning out of the bullpen to close out the game.
Gunnar Henderson got USA on the board in the sixth inning with a solo home run. In the seventh inning, Pete Crow-Armstrong hit a three-run homer. Roman Anthony drove in a run on a single in the eighth. Crow-Armstrong hit his second home run of the game in the ninth, a solo shot.
USA is on the board pic.twitter.com/ofhcWt8yCe
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) March 11, 2026
PCA gets us within four pic.twitter.com/jgcba7YI86
— USA Baseball (@USABaseball) March 11, 2026
With the loss, Team USA’s World Baseball fate is now in the hands of Wednesday evenings Italy – Mexico game. First pitch of the Italy-Mexico game is scheduled for 6 p.m. with coverage available on Tubi. Per Fox Sports’ Ben Verlander, Team USA would make the knockout round (quarterfinals) if Italy wins or Mexico wins by scoring 5+ runs. If Mexico wins scoring four or less runs, Team USA would be eliminated in Pool play.
Team USA advances IF: pic.twitter.com/cRSvIkzinW
— Ben Verlander (@BenVerlander) March 11, 2026
