Team USA's World Baseball Classic hopes take massive hit with Italy upset

United States' Pete Crow-Armstrong hits his second home run of the night against Italy.

Team USA suffered a massive upset at the hands of Italy on Tuesday night at the World Baseball Classic, putting their hopes of moving to the quarterfinal round in jeopardy.

Italy’s Kyle Teel, Sam Antonacci and Jac Caglianone homered as Italy defeated the U.S., 8-6, in the Americans’ final game in pool play.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

United States pitcher Brad Keller (40) walks to the dugout in the middle of the sixth inning of a World Baseball Classic game against Italy , Tuesday, March 10, 2026, in Houston.  (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

Italian starter Michael Lorenzen allowed two hits in 4.2 scoreless innings. The U.S. got homers from Pete Crow-Armstrong twice and Gunnar Henderson, but their rally fell short.

Aaron Judge had a chance to extend the game for the U.S. in the ninth inning, but struck out.

"It’s the toughest thing," he said. "You always like having your destiny in your own hands and we had it right in front of us and Italy came out swinging."

The Americans were down 8-1 in the seventh inning before Crow-Armstrong’s home run.

ITALY'S DUGOUT ESPRESSO MACHINE TRADITION FUELS HOT START IN WORLD BASEBALL CLASSIC

Italy catcher Kyle Teel (3) celebrates as he run the bases after a home run against the United States in the World Baseball Classic game, Tuesday, March 10, 2026, in Houston.  (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

The U.S. appeared to be dealt a confusing situation, possibly thinking they had already clinched a spot in the next round. Manager Mark DeRosa seemed to think that when he said in a TV appearance they the team wanted to win the game "even though our ticket’s punched to the quarterfinals …"

DeRos