Aranda's late HR leads Mexico past Great Britain
In Houston, Jonathan Aranda broke open the game with a three-run homer in the eighth inning to lead Mexico past Great Britain 8-2 in Pool B.
The game was tied 1-1 after solo homers by both teams when Gary Gill Hill struck out the first two batters in the eighth. He then issued consecutive walks to Jarren Duran and Randy Arozarena before Aranda lifted a low fastball into the left-field seats.
Team Mexico's Jonathan Aranda gets enough for a go-ahead three-run homer! #WorldBaseballClassic pic.twitter.com/gS78O7YaSy
— World Baseball Classic (@WBCBaseball) March 6, 2026
The crowd, overwhelmingly Mexico fans, went wild as Aranda rounded the bases.
Alek Thomas padded the lead with a two-run single in the ninth and Joey Ortiz added an RBI double before Arozarena drove in a run on a single that made it 8-1.
Nacho Alvarez Jr. gave Mexico a 1-0 lead in the second inning and Harry Ford tied the score in the sixth.
Jack Anderson started for Britain, allowing two hits and a run with three strikeouts in three innings. Mexico starter Javier Assad permitted two hits while striking out two in 3 2/3 scoreless innings.
Trayce Thompson, a younger brother of NBA star Klay Thompson, had two hits for Britain, capped by an RBI double in the ninth inning.
Britain will face the U.S. on Saturday night and Mexico resumes play Sunday night against Brazil.