Aaron Judge Powers USA Past Brazil WBC Opener/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Aaron Judge and Brice Turang led United States national baseball team to a 15-5 victory over Brazil national baseball team in the opening game of the World Baseball Classic. Judge hit a two-run homer while Turang delivered three hits and four RBIs. Other tournament games saw standout performances from Shohei Ohtani, Puerto Rico’s pitching staff, and power-hitting teams across the field.
Aaron Judge WBC Opener USA Brazil Quick Looks
- Aaron Judge hit a two-run homer in the first inning for Team USA.
- Brice Turang recorded three hits and four RBIs.
- The United States national baseball team defeated Brazil national baseball team 15-5.
- Brazil’s Lucas Ramirez hit two home runs, becoming the youngest player with a multi-homer WBC game.
- Team USA drew 17 walks and forced Brazil pitchers to throw 221 pitches.
- Bryce Harper helped spark a seven-run ninth inning rally.
- Brazil is playing in the WBC for the first time since 2013.
- The U.S. next faces Great Britain national baseball team.
Aaron Judge Leads USA Past Brazil WBC Opener Quick Looks
Judge Sparks Early Lead for Team USA
Aaron Judge delivered an early statement in the opening game of the World Baseball Classic, blasting a two-run home run to help the United States national baseball team defeat the Brazil national baseball team 15-5 Friday night in Houston.
Judge’s homer came in the first inning with one runner on base against Brazilian starter Bo Takahashi, immediately giving the Americans momentum in the tournament opener.
The slugger, who committed to play in the WBC early last year, set the tone for a dominant offensive performance by Team USA.
Turang Drives in Four Runs
While Judge delivered the early highlight, Brice Turang produced one of the biggest nights at the plate.
Turang finished with three hits and four RBIs, including a bases-clearing double in the fifth inning that broke the game open.
With the bases loaded, Turang ripped a shot to left field that extended the U.S. lead to 7-1, putting Brazil in a difficult position.
Team USA continued to pressure Brazil’s pitching throughout the game, drawing 17 walks and forcing Brazilian pitchers to throw 221 total pitches.
Ramirez Shines for Brazil
Despite the loss, Brazil produced one of the most memorable individual performances of the night.
Lucas Ramirez, the son of former MLB star Manny Ramirez, hit two home runs for Brazil.
The 20-year-old opened the scoring for his team with a leadoff homer that cut the American lead to 2-1.
He later added another solo homer in the eighth inning, bringing Brazil within 8-5 before the U.S. offense erupted again late.
At 20 years and 49 days old, Ramirez became the youngest player in World Baseball Classic history to hit multiple home runs in a single game.
Brazil also had a highlight from 17-year-old pitcher Joseph Contreras, the youngest player in this year’s tournament and son of former MLB pitcher José Contreras.
Contreras managed to force Judge into a bases-loaded double play, temporarily stopping a potential big inning for Team USA.
Late Offensive Surge Secures Victory
The Americans sealed the win with a seven-run ninth inning.
Bryce Harper started the rally with an RBI single, and the offense continued to pile on runs to turn a close game into a decisive victory.
Brazil had briefly closed the gap earlier when Victor Mascai hit a two-run homer and Lucas Rojo added an RBI single.
But the late surge ensured a comfortable margin for Team USA.
Japan Dominates Behind Ohtani
Elsewhere in the tournament, defending champion Japan national baseball team delivered one of the most dominant performances of opening day.
Shohei Ohtani doubled on the first pitch of the game and later hit a grand slam during a 10-run second inning as Japan defeated Chinese Taipei national baseball team 13-0.
The game ended after seven innings due to the tournament’s mercy rule.
Ohtani finished with five RBIs and came just a triple short of hitting for the cycle.
Puerto Rico, Mexico and Others Win
In other World Baseball Classic action:
- Puerto Rico national baseball team defeated Colombia national baseball team 5-0 behind strong pitching from Seth Lugo.
- Mexico national baseball team beat Great Britain national baseball team 8-2, highlighted by a three-run homer from Jonathan Aranda.
- Venezuela national baseball team defeated Netherlands national baseball team 6-2 behind a home run from Javier Sanoja.
- Australia national baseball team stayed unbeaten by beating the Czech Republic national baseball team 5-1.
- Cuba national baseball team defeated Panama national baseball team 3-0.
- Dominican Republic national baseball team topped Nicaragua national baseball team after a go-ahead homer by Junior Caminero.
What’s Next in the Tournament
Brazil will try to rebound when it faces Italy national baseball team next.
Meanwhile, Team USA continues its WBC campaign against Great Britain national baseball team, aiming to build early momentum in the international tournament.
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