Kyle Schwarber hit the tie-breaking two-run homer in the fifth inning on Saturday night for the United States, which overcame a slow start to beat Great Britain 9-1 in World Baseball Classic Pool B play in Houston.
Gunnar Henderson capped the five-run fifth for Team USA, which improved to 2-0 heading into Monday’s game against Mexico (1-0). Alex Bregman lofted sacrifice flies in the sixth and seventh while Aaron Judge (single) and Will Smith (sacrifice fly) had an RBI apiece in the sixth.
Nate Eaton homered for Great Britain leading off the first on the opening pitch against two-time defending American League Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal. Great Britain fell to 0-2 as it prepares to face Italy (1-0) on Sunday.
Great Britain maintained the 1-0 lead until the fifth thanks to four innings of two-hit ball from Tyler Viza — who pitched in the minors for the Philadelphia Phillies, San Diego Padres and Minnesota Twins — and Los Angeles Angels prospect Najer Victor.
Viza benefited from a terrific defensive play by former big league outfielder Trayce Thompson, who reached over the right-field fence to rob Smith of a homer in the second.
Team USA’s Ernie Clement began the fifth-inning rally by reaching on a one-out error by third baseman Ivan Johnson, a Cincinnati Reds farmhand. Clement moved to third on Pete Crow-Armstrong’s double and scored on a wild pitch by losing pitcher Andre Scrubb, a former member of the Houston Astros.
Schwarber followed with a 427-foot homer to right.
Henderson finished 4-for-5 while Schwarber had two hits. Every batter had at least one hit for Team USA except Smith, who drew two walks, as they outhit Great Britain 12-3.
Clay Holmes earned the win by giving up one hit and striking out six over three innings in relief of Skubal, who allowed two hits and struck out five in three innings.
David Bednar, Griffin Jax and Brad Keller each struck out two in a perfect inning apiece.
Great Britain didn’t have a baserunner other than Eaton, who had three hits.
Viza allowed two hits in three innings while Victor recorded all four of his outs via strikeout.
