Mexico mayor says MLB will return in March

Florida Marlins and Houston Astros refused to play extra inings after the game finished in a 2-2 tie at Foro Sol stadium Sunday March 14, 2004, in Mexico City. (Marco Ugarte/AP)

MEXICO CITY – After a 12-year hiatus, Major League Baseball will return to Mexico City in March for a two-game series between the Houston Astros and the San Diego Padres, the city’s mayor, Miguel Angel Mancera, announced Wednesday.

MLB has not been played in Mexico’s capital since March 2004, when the Astros faced the Marlins in a two-game preseason series.

"I’m thrilled that the Astros will have the opportunity to play games in Mexico. The Mexican people have a great love for baseball, so I know these games will be very well received," said Astros general manager, Jeff Luhow, who was born and raised in Mexico City.

The series will be played on March 26-27 at Fray Nano stadium, a venue with a capacity of about 5,000 that serves as home of the Red Devils of the Mexican league.

Last year, Mexico hosted an exhibition game on March 29, when the Arizona Diamondbacks played against the Colorado Rockies in Hermosillo, Sonora.

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