Matthew Nethercott DiamondCentric Contributor Posted March 11 Posted March 11 Image courtesy of Thomas Shea-Imagn Images Team USA lost to Team Italy 8-6. Their future in the tournament is now in serious jeopardy. Nolan McLean got the start for Team USA and got off to a quick start, but crumbled after that. He gave up three runs in the second inning, including two home runs. He only completed three innings of work today, the shortest by any Team USA starter. Ryan Yarbrough was next out of the USA’s bullpen and was not much better. He gave up a leadoff walk, then a back-breaking two-run home run to Royals outfielder Jac Caglianone. He pitched a scoreless fifth inning before giving up a one-out double in the sixth. The USA collapsed after that, after Mitch Keller threw away a potential double-play ball, leading to three more Italian runs. Oh man ? A throwing error from USA leads to another Italy run! ?: FS1 pic.twitter.com/Akc5Gxmbqj — FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) March 11, 2026 Home runs by Gunnar Henderson (solo) and Pete Crow-Armstrong (three-run) made the final score a bit closer. In the meantime, let's review the most impactful plays from the game, per WPA via Baseball Savant: 3. Jac Caglianone Homers off Yarborough This one was the back breaker. With the USA already down 3-0, Mark DeRosa went to the bullpen and went to left-hander Ryan Yarbrough. Italy wasted no time jumping on him. He gave up a walk and then a two-run home run to Royals outfielder Jac Caglianone. ITALY IS PUTTING IT ON USA ? They lead 5-0! ?: FS1 pic.twitter.com/BiskxqmgBM — FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) March 11, 2026 This gave Italy a five-run lead that proved insurmountable for the USA. Caglianone was known as a power threat when he was drafted number six overall in the 2024 draft. In his time with the Royals, he struggled at the plate and did not find his power stroke. His finding it in Italy's biggest game of the year is a good sign for the Royals and his development. 2. Kyle Teel Homers off McLean After the side was retired in order in the first inning, and McLean got two quick outs, Kyle Teel stepped up to the plate. He gave Team Italy a 1-0 lead on a solo home run into the Crawford boxes. Italy came to play for the upset, and this was the start of the route. It might have only been a solo shot, but it was still a statement. It showed that the powerful Italian lineup was here to compete and win. 1. Sam Antonacci Hits a Two-Run Home Run After the two-out home run by Teel, a hit by pitch brings Sam Antonacci to the plate with the chance to add runs. He takes a pitch from McLean and parks it in the right-center field seats for a huge two-run home run. ? Something is brewing in Houston! Sam Antonacci with a homer and Team Italy leads USA 3-0 early! ?: FS1 pic.twitter.com/Ho7JlWS3gA — FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) March 11, 2026 The shot showed that Italy was not going away. They wanted this game and were not going quietly. Antonacci had just one RBI coming into today’s game, but got two on that swing. Next: Team USA will hope to advance out of their pool play and into the quarterfinals, but it depends on the result of tomorrow’s Italy/Mexico game. If Italy loses to Mexico tomorrow, it will create a 3-way tie with the USA & ITA (all 3-1). The winner is decided by Run Differential. The team with the LOWEST number wins. The easiest path for the USA to advance is for Italy to win against Mexico tomorrow. View full article
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