Schwarber's Blast Sparks USA To A Win Over Great Britain

Team USA won their second game of pool play by a score of 9-1 against Team Great Britain. They did it with an offensive burst and an excellent outing by AL Cy Young Winner Tarik Skubal, and great relief pitching.

Skubal, in limited action, pitched like the reigning Cy Young winner that he is. He gave up a leadoff home run to Nate Eaton on the first pitch of the game. After that, Skubal retired nine of the next ten batters he faced, six by strikeouts. His changeup was very good today and he was able to get a lot of chases. Both of his baserunners were Eaton.

Tarik Skubal delivers a strong three innings for Team USA ?? pic.twitter.com/LOsbM6bmYY

— MLB (@MLB) March 8, 2026

USA’s offense started off slow but exploded for five runs in the fifth inning and never looked back. 

Clay Holmes was dominant in three innings of work, allowing just one hit that was erased on a caught stealing and six strikeouts.

DeCLAYration of Independence ??

3.0 IP, H, 0 R, 6 K pic.twitter.com/42q4rLPuM7

— New York Mets (@Mets) March 8, 2026

David Bednar came in for the seventh inning and threw 11 pitches to retire the side, including two strikeouts. Griffin Jax, a US Air Force Academy graduate, had the eighth inning for USA. Brad Keller came in and shut the door on Great Britain. All three relievers had the same line of one inning with two strikeouts and nothing more.

USA pitching struck out 17 batters, and the only batter from Great Britain to reach base was Eaton, three times.

In the meantime, let's review the most impactful plays from the game, per WPA via Baseball Savant:

3. Gunnar Henderson Doubles into Center

USA took the lead in the fifth inning, but they were looking for more. With two men out, the USA loaded the bases for Orioles infielder Gunnar Henderson. Henderson lined a 96 MPH sinker into center to give USA some insurance with an RBI single. He advanced to second on a fielding error by Eaton in center.

Gunnar Henderson is pumped up after a terrific at-bat to line a two-run double to center.

5-1 USA pic.twitter.com/5JgH3Rhtk4

— Matthew Nethercott (@bymnethercott) March 8, 2026

Henderson was visibly pumped up and was rallying his teammates. Henderson had a great game, featuring four hits, and was a big part of Team USA’s win. 

2. Pete Crow-Armstrong Doubles down the Line

The USA’s offense needed a spark. After Clement reached on an E5, Great Britain made a pitching change that changed the course of the game. PCA then stepped up to the plate and lined a big double down the right field line to put two runners in scoring position with only one out.

PCA doubles then Clement scores on a wild pitch to tie it! pic.twitter.com/zeehBWcMw8

— Talkin' Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) March 8, 2026

This led to the eventual tying run and the go-ahead runs scoring in the frame. PCA’s speed got him into scoring position in the biggest spot of the game, one of the highlights of his game in his young career.

1. Kyle Schwarber's Two-Run Home Run in the Fifth

The USA had just tied the game up with Schwarber at the plate on a wild pitch. Schwarber did not need the help. He launched a 91.8 MPH cutter 427 feet for a huge home run.

USA LEADS!

SCHWARBER!! 427 FT

3-1 USA!!!!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/AKluMLMGxm

— Matthew Nethercott (@bymnethercott) March 8, 2026

The Schwarber bomb not only gave USA the lead after their offense struggled to start the game, but it also gave Team USA some life. The game had a slow feel to it, and Schwarber's homer energized the team and led to their offensive spark in the fifth inning, leading to the win.

Next:

Team USA will take on Team Mexico in game three of their pool play. Reigning NL Cy Young winner Paul Skenes will start for Team USA. Team Mexico has not announced a starter. The game will take place at 8:00pm on FOX from Dalkin Park in Houston, Texas.