This weekend, March 26-27, the Astros will play two exhibition games vs. the San Diego Padres at Estadio Fray Nano in Mexico City. The stadium, which was recently renovated, is the home of the Diablos Rojos de Mexico of the Mexican Baseball League.
The two-game exhibition series is part of an ongoing collaboration between MLB, the MLBPA and the Mexico City Mayor's Office to promote the sport of baseball in Mexico.
Astros All-Star second baseman Jose Altuve, Rookie of the Year Carlos Correa, infielders Marwin Gonzalez and Luis Valbuena, pitcher Will Harris, outfielders Jake Marisnick and Preston Tucker, manager A.J. Hinch and several other members of the 2016 Astros will take part in the two-day Mexico City Series. Astros General Manager Jeff Luhnow and mascot Orbit will also be in attendance.
Video of Jose Altuve and Carlos Correa discussing the Mexico City Series in Spanish is now available for download at www.MLBPressbox.com.
The Mexico City Series marks a return to Mexico for the Astros, who also appeared in the last MLB games played in Mexico City - a two-game Spring Training series against the Florida Marlins in March of 2004. Over 26,000 fans attended the two-game series played at Estadio Foro Sol, the previous home of the Diablos Rojos de Mexico. Houston has also participated in international Spring Training contests in the Dominican Republic (2000) and Venezuela (2001).
The Astros and Padres will play the exhibition games in Mexico City with split squads, as both clubs will also have Spring Training games at their respective Florida and Arizona locations on March 26-27.
BROADCAST INFORMATION
The evening match on Saturday, March 26 is scheduled for an 8:00 p.m. CT first pitch and will broadcast live on Univision Deportes in the United States and on Televisa Deportes Network in Mexico. Astros Spanish radio broadcaster Francisco Romero will be calling the play-by-play action for Univision Deportes, which will also feature a one-hour pregame show and stream Saturday's game live on its website, www.univision.com/deportes/udn and be available on the Univision Deportes app. An English radio feed for Saturday's game will be available on the MLB.com At Batt app, on MLB.com or on XM satellite radio. The afternoon game on Sunday, March 27 will begin at 2:00 p.m. CT and will be streamed live on the MLB.com At Bat app and on MLB.com, via Televisa Deportes Network. An English radio feed of Sunday's games will be available on the MLB.com At Bat app or on MLB.com.
ZOCALO BASEBALL FESTIVAL
The Astros will also be participating in the Zocalo Baseball Festival on Saturday, March 26. The Zocalo Baseball Festival will take place in Zocalo Square over three days, from Friday, March 25 - Sunday, March 27 and is free and open to the public. The Festival will be open from 11:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. each day and will feature events and attractions including a full-sized baseball field in the square, children's baseball clinics, a Pitch Hit and Run competition, a DJ, an MLB store and more.
Astros players and mascot Orbit will appear at the Zocalo Baseball Festival on Saturday, March 26 from 12:00 - 2:00 p.m.
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