How Red Sox's Jarren Duran Described World Baseball Classic Experience Boston Red Sox outfielder Jarren Duran is competing for Mexico in the World Baseball Classic. The 29-year-old player joined a group of Red Sox teammates making an early impact in the tournament after hitting a home run in Mexico’s 16-0 victory over Brazil. Following the game, Duran shared his thoughts with MLB Network’s Jon Morosi about the electric atmosphere at Daikin Park in Houston. A large crowd of Mexico fans filled the venue, creating a buzz that Duran described as more intense than the postseason series between the Red Sox and Yankees in October 2025. “You can’t describe it. You have to be here to witness it, but it’s one of the loudest crowds I’ve been a part of,” he said. “I got to play in the playoffs last year, and it doesn’t even come close to this.” Duran’s performance in spring training prior to the WBC included three home runs and two doubles across five games. He also went hitless in an 8-2 win over Great Britain, though he drew a walk and stole a base from the leadoff position. On Sunday, he contributed two RBIs in a 2-for-3 effort. After hitting his home run, Duran expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to play for Mexico. “I feel like I haven’t done much for this team, and I didn’t do much in the last WBC, but it meant a lot to me,” he said. “I was trying not to smile too much, but it means a lot to me to be able to do that for these fans.” Duran, who was born in California, emphasized his pride in honoring his father’s Mexican heritage. “When I hit that homer, the first thing I thought of was my dad and his family, and how I can represent the,” he said. “And I know they’re going crazy for me back home, so it means a lot to me.#world_baseball_classic #boston_red_sox #daikin_park #jarren_duran #roman_anthony
Team USA baseball dominates Brazil, wins 2026 World Baseball Classic opener The United States national baseball team secured a commanding victory in its 2026 World Baseball Classic Pool B opener, defeating Brazil 15-5 on March 6, 2026, at Daikin Park in Houston. The game, which marked Team USA’s return to the tournament after winning silver in 2023, saw the Americans cruise to a decisive win despite a late rally by Brazil. Aaron Judge of the United States hit a two-run home run in the first inning, giving Team USA an early lead. The Americans maintained control throughout the game, with Brice Turang delivering a standout performance. Turang went 3-for-6 with four RBIs and two doubles, while Roman Anthony contributed two RBIs in a balanced offensive display. Judge, though limited to a single home run, scored three runs and remained a key presence at the plate. Brazil’s Lucas Ramirez, the son of former MLB star Manny Ramirez, hit two home runs, briefly narrowing the gap as the game progressed. However, Team USA’s pitching staff held firm, with starter Logan Webb earning the win. Webb struck out six batters in four innings, allowing just one run. Brazil’s Bo Takahashi took the loss after surrendering five runs over six innings. The game’s momentum shifted dramatically in the ninth inning, when Team USA erupted for seven runs to seal the victory. After Brazil cut the deficit to 8-5 with three runs in the seventh and another in the eighth, the Americans responded with a barrage of offensive production. A balk and a run-scoring ground out by Turang extended the lead to 13-5, followed by a walk by Pete Crow-Armstrong and an RBI single by Roman Anthony to make it 12-5. Cal Raleigh’s bases-loaded walk in the ninth inning pushed the score to 11-5, before the final runs sealed the 15-5 result.#team_usa #brasil #brice_turang #daikin_park #aaron_judge
Judge, U.S. Start World Baseball Classic with Rout of Brazil The United States dominated Brazil in its opening game of the World Baseball Classic, posting a 15-5 victory at Daikin Park in Houston. Aaron Judge hit a two-run homer and Brice Turang drove in four runs with three hits to lead the American squad. The game, played on Friday night, marked the U.S. team’s debut in the tournament. Judge, the first player to commit to the U.S. team in April 2025, launched his home run in the first inning with one out and one runner on base against pitcher Bo Takahashi. Brazil’s Lucas Ramirez, whose father is 12-time All-Star Manny Ramirez, hit two home runs to keep the game competitive. Ramirez cut the U.S. lead to 2-1 with a leadoff homer in the first and later narrowed the gap to 8-5 with a solo shot in the eighth inning. At 20 years and 49 days old, Ramirez became the youngest player in WBC history to hit multiple home runs in a single game. The U.S. extended its lead in the third inning when Byron Buxton was hit by a pitch, pushing the score to 4-1. Turang then cleared the bases with a double to left field, making it 7-1. Brazil’s 17-year-old high school senior Joseph Contreras, the youngest player in the tournament, forced a bases-loaded double play against Judge to end the second inning. Despite Brazil’s efforts, the U.S. maintained control, with Lucas Rojo hitting an RBI single in the seventh and Victor Mascai’s two-run homer off Michael Wacha cutting the deficit to 7-4. Bryce Harper added an RBI single in the ninth inning, allowing the Americans to score seven more runs. The U.S. team walked 17 batters and forced Brazil to throw 221 pitches throughout the game. Brazil, making its second appearance in the WBC since 2013, fell to 0-4 in the tournament after losing to Japan, Cuba, and China in 2013.#judge #world_baseball_classic #brice_turang #daikin_park #bo_takahashi
