The United States began their World Baseball Classic campaign with a 15-5 victory over Brazil on Friday night.
Aaron Judge, the first player to commit to the team last April, hit a two-run homer. Brice Turang contributed three hits and four RBIs.
Judge’s Homer Sparks US Offence
With one out and one on in the first, Judge connected off Bo Takahashi at Houston’s Daikin Park.
Bryce Harper’s RBI single in the ninth initiated a seven-run rally for the U.S.
The Americans walked 17 times, compelling Brazil to throw 221 pitches.
Ramirez’s Two Home Runs Not Enough for Brazil
Lucas Ramirez homered twice for Brazil. His father, 12-time All-Star Manny Ramirez, was in attendance.
Ramirez cut the lead to 2-1 with his leadoff homer. He got Brazil within 8-5 with his solo shot in the eighth.
At 20 years, 49 days, Ramirez became the youngest player in WBC history with a multihomer game.
Lucas Rojo hit an RBI single for Brazil in the seventh. Victor Mascai then hit a two-run shot off Michael Wacha, cutting the lead to 7-4.
Other Key Moments
- Byron Buxton was hit by a pitch in the fifth to push the Americans’ lead to 4-1 and later left the game.
- Turang cleared the bases with his double to left field two pitches later to make it 7-1.
- 17-year-old high school senior Joseph Contreras, the youngest player in the WBC this year, got Judge to ground into a bases-loaded double play to end the second inning.
- Contreras is the son of pitcher José Contreras, who played 11 MLB seasons.
What’s Next
Brazil is participating in the WBC for the second time, their first appearance since 2013. The team’s all-time tournament record fell to 0-4 after losing to Japan, Cuba and China in 2013.
Brazil face Italy on Saturday, while the U.S. will play Britain.