In its first game of the 2023 World Baseball Classic, Team USA defeated Great Britain, 6-2, at Chase Field in Phoenix to open pool play.
Great Britain got out to an early lead, as Trayce Thompson homered off Adam Wainwright in the top of the first inning. Thompson, the most experienced major league player on Great Britain’s roster, is eligible to play for the team through his father, Bahamian former NBA star Mychal Thompson.
Team USA trailed 1-0 for a few innings, but WBC veteran Nolan Arenado tied the game with an RBI double in the third inning. Then, Kyle Tucker gave the Americans the lead by driving in Arenado with an RBI single.