Schwarber homers for Team USA as Great Britain matchup turns in fifth
Team USA grabbed the lead against Great Britain in the 2026 World Baseball Classic on a two-run home run by Kyle schwarber in the bottom of the fifth inning. As of 11: 22 a. m. ET Saturday, the swing stood as the key breakthrough in a game that had been tight despite limited early offense.
Schwarber’s two-run shot flips USA vs. Great Britain in the fifth
The Americans’ rally took shape in the bottom of the fifth after Great Britain went to the bullpen, with Andre Scrubb replacing Najer Victor. Soon after, Kyle schwarber “absolutely launches a home run over the right-field wall, ” a two-run blast that pushed the U. S. in front at USA 3, Great Britain 1 in the bottom of the fifth.
Before that turning point, the game had been defined by quick outs and missed opportunities. At the midpoint, Great Britain had just two hits and the U. S. also had two hits, with the only ball to clear the fence early coming from Great Britain: Nate Eaton’s leadoff home run.
Great Britain’s pitching change became a focal point of the inning. Victor, described as an Angels minor leaguer, recorded four outs—all strikeouts—and issued a walk, but was pulled after his third baseman committed a throwing error. The U. S. hitters “were not squaring up Victor, ” and the description noted they “were flailing at his tight slider, ” before the matchup changed once Scrubb entered.
Tarik Skubal’s lone start ends after three innings for Team USA
Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal made what was described as his lone start of the tournament for the U. S., working three innings with five strikeouts. The outing began with an immediate jolt: Skubal gave up a home run to Nate Eaton on the game’s first pitch.
From there, the U. S. relied on its bullpen to keep the score in range, and right-hander Holmes delivered a dominant stretch in relief. In the fifth inning, Holmes struck out multiple hitters in succession, including a sequence described as “six up, six down” with “five straight Ks, ” keeping Great Britain from extending its early lead.
That scoreless run mattered when the U. S. offense finally broke through. The fifth inning featured more damage than just the homer, including extra-base hits and a two-run double by Gunnar Henderson that widened the gap to USA 5, Great Britain 1 in the bottom of the fifth.
Schwarber praises Mets pitcher Nolan McLean during Team USA camp
Away from the in-game highlights, Kyle schwarber also used the World Baseball Classic setting to speak highly of New York Mets starting pitcher Nolan McLean, a teammate with Team USA who he expects to see again in MLB play. Schwarber called McLean’s arsenal and approach “fantastic, ” pointing to both his “electric stuff” and the way he attacks hitters with specific plans.
“Obviously, I think the stuff is fantastic, ” Schwarber said while speaking to SNY’s Michelle Margaux. “I think just the way he goes out there and attacks hitters, he has game plans, it feels like, for each and every single guy. ”
Schwarber added that he was impressed with McLean’s composure early in his career against a tough lineup, saying, “It’s not easy whenever you go in and face a lineup like the Phillies’ in your first couple of starts, and he just goes out there and he does what he does. ” He concluded: “It was really good and I look forward to having a lot more matchups with him. ”
Schwarber was hitless against McLean across two games last season, a detail that underscored the respect in his comments. Yet, the WBC environment has given them time around one another, even as the two remain positioned as key pieces for Team USA—Schwarber as a power bat and McLean as a pitcher who could be in line to work in the tournament final if the Americans advance that far.
The next confirmed action on the field is Team USA’s ongoing World Baseball Classic game against Great Britain, with the contest having reached the middle innings by the time the U. S. took the lead in the bottom of the fifth; more official scoring updates are expected as play continues Saturday.
