CULIACÁN, SINALOA. Estadio Tomateros turned into the epicenter of a true baseball and family celebration. Before a packed home crowd, the Tomateros de Culiacán Baseball Club brilliantly inaugurated the 2026-2027 Liga Mexicana del Pacífico Banamex season in the Sinaloan capital.
Lights, fireworks, music, and the enthusiasm of thousands of fans filled the Guinda venue, reaffirming the passion of Nación Guinda during a ceremony rich in tradition and pride that echoed throughout every corner of the ballpark.
On the field, the team responded to the crowd’s energy, making the stands erupt in the bottom of the third inning. Jon Singleton delivered a clutch hit down the left-center field gap to drive in JP Martínez for the first run. Moments later, Orlando Martínez stayed aggressive with an infield contact to bring Fabricio Macías across the plate, capping off the Guinda attack.
The momentum of the Guinda lineup carried through to the final frame. In the bottom of the ninth, Fernando Villegas launched a towering two-run home run—his first blast of the campaign—to bring the home crowd back to its feet. In the end, the visiting side held on for an 8-6 decision.
On the mound, right-hander Manny Barreda got the nod to start the home opener. The pitching staff continued to log innings, highlighted by strong scoreless efforts from the bullpen: Tony Rossi delivered two flawless, hitless frames, while Axel Sauceda was sharp down the stretch, retiring all four batters he faced with two strikeouts.
Action resumes immediately this Friday, October 16, as Tomateros head on the road for their first official series of the season against the Cañeros de Los Mochis.