Daniel Shirey/WBCI/MLB Photos via Getty Images
Team USA’s World Baseball Classic title defense got off to a great start Saturday night as it took down an overmatched Great Britain team in a 6-2 win at Chase Field in Phoenix.
One of the most talented lineups in the entire tournament, USA flexed its muscles after falling behind 1-0 in the first inning, scoring six unanswered runs and showing everyone why it is considered one of the tournament favorites.
While superstars Mookie Betts and Mike Trout struggled, going a combined 1-for-9 at the plate, Nolan Arenado and Kyle Schwarber put on a show in front of a packed home crowd.
Arenado went 3-for-5 with one run scored and two RBI, while Schwarber went 1-for-3, but that one hit was a three-run homer in the fourth inning that broke open the game for Team USA.
Twitter was quick to show Arenado and his teammates plenty of love throughout the night.
MLB @MLB
Nolan Arenado ties things up for Team USA. #WorldBaseballClassic pic.twitter.com/xHC4xgCI4M
jackson @foreverstros
NOLAN ARENADO, PATRIOT🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/wBX5AyLbsC
Boston Sports Enjoyer @DeversEnjoyer
Paul Goldschmidt and Nolan Arenado pic.twitter.com/jG0ciFBYdB
Jon Morosi @jonmorosi
I could watch Nolan Arenado play defense all day.
A certified all-time great. @MLBNetwork
Quinn @QuinnSTLCards
Nolan Arenado is the worst thing that has happened to Great Britian since the Boston Tea Party
Brian Knights @BrianKnights3
Nolan Arenado lives for the World Baseball Classic. Guy just loves having USA on his chest
Flippin’ Bats Podcast @FlippinBatsPod
Ben’s pregame player to watch: Nolan Arenado
Arenado is 3/4 with 2 RBI and a run scored in the 6th inning 🎯😳 @BenVerlander
Apple: https://t.co/UlaXY7qpVd
Spotify: https://t.co/UIZNuo57dT pic.twitter.com/YPvfJcOX95
It wasn’t just his offensive production that made Arenado a fan favorite Saturday. He also showed off his signature defense on the international stage.
The 10-time Gold Glove winner made it look easy against the Brits all night long.
FOX Sports: MLB @MLBONFOX
Another day at the office for Nolan Arenado 💪
📺: FOX and the FOX Sports App pic.twitter.com/Ze3O4zdDda
Tim Kelly @TimKellySports
Nolan Arenado is such a perfect player, the consistency that he’s had at this level is remarkable.
It’ll be a slightly more difficult test Sunday for Team USA as it continues Pool C play against Mexico, who lost its tournament debut against Colombia and will be desperate to earn its first win of the WBC.
San Diego Padres pitcher Nick Martinez will get the start against Team Mexico, which has Patrick Sandoval of the Los Angeles Angels on the bump. The game is set to begin at 10 p.m. ET.
