Jonathan Aranda, Tampa Bay Rays All-Star first baseman, played a crucial role in Team Mexico‘s 8-2 win against Great Britain on Friday in the opening Pool B game of the 2026 World Baseball Classic at Daikin Park in Houston. Aranda’s key home run provided the decisive breakthrough that helped Mexico secure the victory.
Mexico Takes Early Lead as Pitchers Duel in First Innings
Mexico struck first in the second inning when Nacho Alvarez Jr. hit a solo home run off Great Britain’s starting pitcher Jack Anderson. Anderson went three innings, yielding two hits and one run while striking out three hitters. On the Mexican side, starter Javier Assad held Britain scoreless through 3.2 innings, allowing just two hits and one walk, and recorded two strikeouts.
Great Britain Responds but Misses Scoring Opportunities
Great Britain equalized in the sixth inning when Harry Ford hit a solo homer to left field. Ford finished the game with two hits, a walk, and was one of several productive British batters, as the team out-hit Mexico 8-6. Despite this, Great Britain struggled with runners in scoring position, going just 1-for-6 and leaving nine runners stranded throughout the contest.
Aranda’s Three-Run Home Run Breaks Tie in Eighth inning
The pivotal moment arrived in the eighth inning. After Britain’s Gary Gill Hill struck out the first two batters, he issued walks to Jarren Duran and Randy Arozarena. Britain’s manager Brad Marcelino brought in Tristan Beck, but Aranda quickly took advantage. Facing a 2-0 count, Aranda blasted a 96-mph pitch into the left-field Crawford Boxes for a three-run homer that put Mexico ahead 4-1. Aranda finished the game 2-for-5 with three RBIs.
Mexico Extends Lead with Late-Inning Runs
Mexico added more runs in the ninth inning to solidify the win. Alek Thomas hit a two-run single to center field, allowing Jared Serna and Nick Gonzales to score. Joey Ortiz then followed with an RBI double and Arozarena added another run-scoring single to push the lead to 8-1.
Great Britain Scores Late but Falls Short
Great Britain managed a final run in the ninth inning when Trayce Thompson doubled to left field, driving in Ian Lewis Jr. Both Thompson and Lewis ended the game with two hits each, and Thompson recorded an RBI, but it was insufficient to close the gap.
Mexico’s Bullpen Helps Secure the Win, Sets Up Upcoming Match
Mexico utilized eight pitchers for the victory. Robert Garcia earned the win after a scoreless seventh inning, while Andres Munoz closed the contest by recording the final three outs. The result improved Mexico’s standing to 1-0 in Pool B, setting up a match against Brazil on Sunday. Great Britain fell to 0-1 and will face the United States on Saturday.
“After Beck fell behind 2-0, Aranda crushed a 96-mph fastball into the left-field Crawford Boxes for a three-run homer, breaking the 1-1 tie and giving Mexico a 4-1 lead. Aranda finished 2-for-5 with three RBIs.” ?Brad Marcelino, Great Britain Manager
Jonathan Aranda's three-run homer shifted the momentum in Team Mexico's victory! #WorldBaseballClassic pic.twitter.com/wWMNTevfjV
— World Baseball Classic (@WBCBaseball) March 6, 2026
