Padres Erupt in Mexico City Series Finale

After dropping the first Mexico City Series game Saturday 11-1 to the Astros, the Padres started their payback early on Sunday. They scored nine runs in the first inning, then erupted for 8 more in the 7th inning to repay the Sports Illustrated World Series picks 21-6 on Sunday. They now rejoin the rest of their team for the final week of Spring Training before Opening Day.

More from Padres News

• Jurickson Profar free agency update likely rules out Padres reunion
• Fernando Tatis Jr. may not take to outfield move after Xander Bogaerts addition
• Padres News: Fernando Tatis Jr. trade rumors, Seth Lugo chase, Manny Machado
• Padres barely missed out on high-end veteran starting pitcher
• This veteran DH target seems ideal for contending Padres roster

Jabari Blash continues his impressive spring audition with a first inning three run home run to get the Padres board. Adam Rosales joined in two batters later and even Jon Jay contributed with a home run on his second at-bat in the first inning. Padres Manager Andy Green had the obvious quote of the day when he commented “Any time you hit three home runs in an inning, that’s the way you like to draw it up,”.

The Astros are a team full of youth and exciting players, fresh off a surprise playoff berth in 2015 and with their sights clearly set on loftier expectations for 2016. Carlos Correa went 0-1 with a walk after homering the previous day and walking in three plate appearances. Astros Manager A.J. Hinch offered both perspective and an Astros sales pitch following the game on Sunday:

"“We loved being here. Even with the results today, it was a great experience for our players, for our coaches, for the players, for me. The fans were great, the atmosphere was fun. Today’s result was not what we were looking for, but we leave Mexico very happy we were the team that was chosen to be part of this…”I hope fans in Mexico start to watch Astros baseball. We have a lot of fun players, some that were here and some that weren’t. We have a fun team to watch and a lot of relatable players to the people that live in Mexico, and we’re not too far away. Come see us.”"

It wasn’t that long ago that the Astros went into a full blown fire sale to build up their farm system both for the players that would rise up (Correa) and those that they could trade away for pieces they needed. Former Padre Luke Gregorson did a fine job closing for the Astros last season but he did not appear in the two game series in Mexico.

For the Padres, Mexican born Cesar Vargas worked three scoreless innings for the Padres allowing just two hits and striking out five. He actually fared better than any other Padres pitcher. Philip Humber allowed 2 runs in 2 IP and Daniel McCutchen allowed one run in just over two innings of work as well. Ryan Buchter struck out two in one inning of work to close out the game for the Padres. One week to go until the games actually count.