Kyle Teel, Sam Antonacci and Jac Caglianone homered as Italy built a big lead and held on to stun the United States 8-6 Tuesday night in the World Baseball Classic. The U.S. is done with pool play at Houston's Daikin Park and needs the Italians to beat Mexico Wednesday night to be guaranteed a spot in the quarterfinals.

The Italians' romp against Mexico ensured Team USA would reach the quarterfinal round after the Americans' hopes were in peril entering Wednesday.

Italy's Vinnie Pasquantino, who opened the tournament 0 for 12, homered leading off the second, sixth, and eighth inning against Mexico.

The United States' fate in the 2026 World Baseball Classic is partially in Mexico's hands, and one of their players had a head-turning post on social media going into Wednesday's game against Italy.

The surprising loss by the United States to Italy in the World Baseball Classic on Tuesday night means that the Americans need help to advance to the quarterfinals.

By Angelo Amante and Giuseppe Fonte ROME, March 11 (Reuters) - Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on Wednesday delivered her strongest criticism yet of the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran, describing it as part of a growing and dangerous trend of interventions "outside the scope of international law".

Keep up with the World Baseball Classic schedule on March 10, including game times, TV channels and live updates.