Pasquantonio Hits 3 HRs in Italy's 9-1 WBC Win Over Mexico

Vinnie Pasquantonio etched his name into World Baseball Classic history on Wednesday, becoming the first player to hit three home runs in a single tournament game while leading Team Italy to a 9-1 victory over Mexico at Daikin Park in Houston. The Kansas City Royals first baseman's performance clinched first place in Pool B for the undefeated Italians and secured advancement for the United States as the group's second-place team.

Pasquantonio, serving as Italy's captain and representing his Italian heritage, entered the game mired in a 0-for-12 slump over the tournament's first three contests. He broke through in the second inning with a solo homer to right field off Mexico starter Javier Assad, a 342-foot drive that gave Italy a 1-0 lead. The 28-year-old attempted a bunt on his first pitch before adjusting to power the ball into the seats.

Italy built on the early momentum. Jon Berti added a solo homer to left-center in the fourth, doubling the lead to 2-0. The fifth inning brought a three-run outburst, highlighted by Dante Nori's sacrifice bunt and Jakob Marsee's two-run single, pushing the score to 5-0. Pasquantonio extended the advantage in the sixth with his second homer, a...