MAZATLÁN, Sinaloa, Mexico – Imperial Valley native Jake Sánchez cemented his place in Águilas de Mexicali history this week, becoming the franchise’s all-time saves leader in the Mexican Pacific League (LMP).
Sánchez notched his record-setting 125th career save on Tuesday night, closing out Mexicali’s 3–0 win over the Venados de Mazatlán in the second game of their series. The milestone marks a new high for the club, which is celebrating its 50th season in the league.
The right-hander, affectionately known as “Jake Mate,” surpassed Mexican baseball legend Isidro Márquez, who recorded 124 saves with the Águilas. Sánchez’s career in Mexicali began in the 2015–16 season, when he shared closing duties with Dominican pitcher Esmailin Caridad.
By the following season, Sánchez had firmly claimed the closer role, saving 21 games in 22 opportunities and delivering a historic postseason performance. In the 2016–17 playoffs, he appeared in 10 games, recording five saves over 17 2/3 innings with a spotless 0.00 ERA, 21 strikeouts and just three walks–numbers that helped lead Mexicali to a championship run.
One of Sánchez’s most memorable outings came in Game 7 of the semifinal series against Naranjeros de Hermosillo, when he threw 7 2/3 innings of relief, striking out 11 and allowing only two hits to help the Águilas reach the finals.
Sánchez also holds the single-season league record for saves, a mark he set during the 2021–22 campaign with 26.
With 125 saves for Mexicali, Sánchez now stands just 10 away from becoming the all-time saves leader in Mexican Pacific League history–a record also held by Márquez.
Other notable closers who have worn the Águilas uniform include David Cárdenas (60 saves), Óscar Villarreal (54) and Vicente Palacios (29).
Sánchez–who has also pitched in Minor League Baseball and for the Mexican national team–continues to build on a career that has made him one of the most dominant relievers in Mexican winter league history.