By Angelica Medina and Janina Nuno Rios
MEXICO CITY, April 26 (Reuters) - Major League Baseball came to Mexico City and fans made sure the party matched the baseball, with banda music blaring, alebrijes on display, and gourmet hot dogs selling fast.
The Arizona Diamondbacks beat the San Diego Padres 12-7 on Sunday to split a thrilling two-game series at Estadio Alfredo Harp Helu, capping a high-octane weekend that underscored why MLB keeps coming back to the Mexican capital.
The series is the third
of its kind, part of the league's World Tour launched in 2023.
Among those in the stands were Jacinto Perez and Jose Rodriguez, two San Diego-based Padres fans in lucha libre masks who had made the trip south.
"My first game was in '81. My cousin took me and since then I've been a die-hard fan," said Rodriguez. "Wherever they go, we'll follow them," added Perez, as both men said they want to see the Padres play in Japan next.
Also in the stands was "El Yorch," a San Diego supporter with family in Tijuana, who has become a regular at Mexico City sporting events. He is already eyeing a return later this year for the NFL game.
All three men dismissed security concerns about travelling to Mexico.
"Please avoid believing everything the newspapers said, yes the country has had some difficult moments this year, but nothing compares to this experience, to the people here and the ambient," said El Yorch.
Perez, who described himself as Mexican, was equally firm. "I will never lose the desire to come to my homeland. I will always come, no matter what anyone says. As long as you stay on the right path, nothing will happen."
On the field, the weekend delivered high drama.
Saturday belonged to the Padres as they rallied from four runs down to win 6-4, scoring four times in the seventh before Ty France sealed it with his second home run of the game in the ninth.
Sunday swung the other way. Manny Machado gave the Padres hope with two home runs, but Tim Tawa's first career grand slam ignited a six-run seventh inning for Arizona, and the Diamondbacks never looked back.
MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred said the league was keen to expand into new international markets, underlining Mexico's central role in its global plans.
The result leaves the Padres second in the National League West, one game behind the Los Angeles Dodgers, with Arizona third.
(Reporting by Angelica Medina and Janina Nuno in Mexico City; Editing by Muralikumar Anantharaman)
