MEXICALI — A festive capacity crowd filed into the nest for Opening Day, but the hometown party on the field was cut short.
Despite a vibrant inaugural show that kicked off the 2026-2027 Liga Mexicana del Pacífico (LMP) Banamex season in style, the Águilas de Mexicali fell 3-0 to the visiting Naranjeros de Hermosillo.
The game’s decisive blow came early in the top of the second inning. With two Hermosillo runners on base, Dylan Jasso turned on a pitch from Mexicali starter David Reyes, launching a towering three-run home run over the left-center field wall to break the game open.
Those three runs proved to be all the Hermosillo pitching staff needed.
Mexicali’s lineup repeatedly put pressure on the visitors, but couldn’t manage the clutch hit required to break through. Catcher Chuckie Robinson led the Aguilas’ offense with an efficient night at the plate, going 3-for-4 with a pair of singles and a double. Outfielder Yadir Drake added a double and a single, but Mexicali ultimately left their opportunities stranded on the basepaths.
Reyes (0-1) took the loss for Mexicali, allowing three runs on four hits across five innings of work. The Águilas’ bullpen delivered five scoreless innings in relief, with Alonso Becerra, Norman Elenes, Juan Robles, Zac Rosscup, and Jake Sánchez keeping the game within reach.
Hermosillo starter Zac Grotz pitched 4 ⅓ shutout frames before handing the ball over to a stingy bullpen. Reliever Jimmy Burnette (1-0) picked up the win after keeping the Águilas at bay, while Colten Brewer closed out the night to earn his first save of the season.