Pensacola Blue Wahoos helmets sit in the dugout prior to the SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game at T-Mobile Park on Saturday, July 8, 2023, in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Jorden Dixon/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
The Sultanes de Monterrey of the Liga Mexicana de Béisbol and the Pensacola Blue Wahoos, the Miami Marlins Double-A affiliate, completed their two-game exhibition series against one another on Wednesday at Admiral Fetterman Field in Pensacola, Florida.
This was the third professional baseball series of 2024 in which a Major League Baseball team or a minor league affiliate played an organization from the LMB.
The New York Yankees played two exhibition games against the Diablos Rojos del Mexico at Estadio Alfredo Harp Helu in Mexico City from March 24-25, losing in both contests.
The San Antonio Missions, the Double-A affiliate of the San Diego Padres, played two exhibition games against the Saraperos de Saltillo of the LMB from March 29-30. In 2023, the Missions played two exhibition games against the Acereros de Monclova, also of Liga Mexicana de Beisbol.
The last time the Sultanes de Monterrey played an MLB franchise in an exhibition game was in 2011 against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
“It’s an honor to come back and play with a professional team—such a high-caliber team,” Sultanes de Monterrey manager Roberto Kelly told the Pensacola News Journal. “It’s good for the players to see different types of pitching. The velo was pretty high, so that was good to see that kind of speed. That’s going to help us when our season starts.”
Game one of the series on Tuesday, April 2, ended in a 1-1 tie.
The Sultanes de Monterrey pitching staff held the Blue Wahoos scoreless until the bottom of the eighth inning. Third baseman Jake Thompson hit a triple off the wall and scored the game-tying run on a balk.
Tyler Viza, Stephen Tarpley, and Carlos Morales struck out 10 for the Sultanes in eight innings.
On Wednesday, the Sultanes hit three home runs in the second game of the series, helping the club secure a 6-4 win over Pensacola.
Regardless of the game scores, the main focus was the fans’ experience and the growth of baseball on an international scale.
“The exhibition series with the Sultanes holds significant importance as it showcases different cultures and also serves as a platform for sportsmanship and community engagement,” Pensacola Blue Wahoos general manager Steve Brice told MLB.com.
“Beyond the realm of sports, this game symbolizes unity, bringing together individuals from diverse backgrounds to celebrate the spirit of competition and mutual respect,” Brice said. “Moreover, it serves as an avenue for fans to create lasting memories and strengthen the bonds that tie communities together, highlighting the profound impact of sports.”
After the conclusion of game two, players from each team exchanged hugs and jerseys, and fans enjoyed a fireworks show. It was indeed a memorable experience for the fans and players alike.
According to Pensacola News Journal, the Sultanes de Monterrey have invited the Pensacola Blue Wahoos to play exhibition games in Mexico next season, pending MLB approval.
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos will play their first game of the 2024 minor league baseball season at home against the Mississippi Braves, the Atlanta Braves’ Double-A affiliate, at 7:05 EST on Friday, April 5, at Admiral Fetterman Field in Pensacola, Florida.
The Sultanes de Monterrey will play their first game of the 2024 LMB season on the road on Friday, April 12, at 9:30 p.m. EST against the Toros de Tijuana at Estadio Chevron in Tijuana, Baja California.
Fans of minor league baseball can watch games using MiLB.TV and fans of Liga Mexicana de Beisbol can watch games using Jonron.TV.
