Team USA’s surprising defeat to Mexico in the World Baseball Classic on Sunday night left fans worried about the presumed favorites to win it all—and for good reason. The 11–5 drubbing at Chase Field in Phoenix was the second-worst loss by a U.S. team in WBC history, but players seemed to address the upset as if it were any other game during an MLB season.
“We’re a really good baseball team,” Team USA pitcher Brady Singer said, per ESPN. “I’m not too worried about it. We have to come back fighting tomorrow.”
Singer gave up four earned runs on four hits in two innings during a game in which the team’s pitching staff struggled mightily, allowing 15 hits. The WBC’s pitch-count rules and the need to accommodate MLB clubs’ wishes by not overusing their hurlers played a significant role in the loss, as manager Mark DeRosa was unable to make certain replacements when his bullpen was struggling.
