Little bit of everything in Mexico City ... even an anthem standoff
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MEXICO CITY -- Just about everything in the Mexico City Series this weekend has been taken up a notch: the atmosphere, the music, the run-scoring environment. Heck, even national anthem standoffs reach a different level here.
Following a rousing rendition of the _himno nacional Mexicano_, by María León, on Sunday afternoon, Nick Martinez and Sean Manaea remained on the field for over six full minutes, stationary up the first- and third-base lines, respectively.
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“I saw him staying there,” Martinez said. “I knew exactly what he was trying to do. So then I wasn’t backing down.”
Things escalated quickly between Martinez and Manaea, who shared adjacent lockers in San Diego last season. Martinez was adorned with the Padres' home run sombrero -- a new prop in their arsenal, debuted (and put to good use) on Saturday night. Manaea, meanwhile, was presented with a Lucha Libre mask, which he pulled partially over his head.
Midway through the test of wills, Padres third baseman Manny Machado emerged from the dugout to supply Martinez with water and a towel. As first pitch neared, Padres starting pitcher Yu Darvish playfully bumped into Martinez on his way to the mound.
“I will stay out there as long as I need, I don’t care,” Martinez said. “I’ve got no shame. … That’s the strategy.”
Eventually, with Darvish about to get loose, two umpires approached each player and asked them to disperse. Manaea faked a move toward the dugout. Martinez didn't flinch. Finally, Manaea broke, turning his back and walking to the visitors' dugout.
Martinez lifted his sombrero, let out a roar and saluted the crowd.
Perhaps it set the tone for the afternoon. The Padres rallied for a 6-4 victory over the Giants and a sweep of the Mexico City Series.