Naranjeros Score Six in Eighth to Win LMP Home Opener

Naranjeros de Hermosillo scored six runs in the eighth inning to overturn a two-run deficit and beat Águilas de Mexicali 6-2 in their 2026-27 Liga Mexicana del Pacífico home opener on Thursday night at Estadio Fernando Valenzuela.

Hermosillo had been held scoreless through seven innings before its lineup broke the game open against the Mexicali bullpen. The comeback gave the Naranjeros a second straight victory to begin the LMP season and sent the home crowd away with a dramatic opening-night win.

Six-run inning flips the game

Águilas took the lead in the second inning when Cuban outfielder Yadir Drake homered over the left-field wall against Wilmer Ríos. Esteban Quiroz made it 2-0 an inning later with a run-scoring single to center that brought home Kai Murphy.

Ríos kept Hermosillo close despite the early damage. The right-hander allowed two runs on five hits and struck out four over 4 1/3 innings. Ozzie Méndez, Juan Gámez, Augusto Mendieta and Jimmy Burnette then combined to keep Mexicali scoreless through the eighth.

That gave the Naranjeros’ offense one last opening. With the bases loaded in the bottom of the eighth, Luis Durango Jr. singled to left to score Miguel Guzmán and Dylan Jasso, tying the game 2-2.

Víctor Mendoza followed with a two-run single to right, driving in Edson García and Durango. A throwing error on the play also allowed Nick Solak to score, pushing Hermosillo ahead 5-2. Agustín Murillo completed the six-run surge by bringing home pinch-runner Francisco Lugo.

Hermosillo bullpen closes the door

Burnette earned his second win of the young season after a scoreless eighth inning. Matt Foster handled the ninth and struck out two batters to finish the victory, while Norman Elenes took the loss for Mexicali.

The result followed Hermosillo’s 3-0 season-opening win in Mexicali, a game highlighted by Dylan Jasso’s first LMP home run and a six-pitcher shutout. The Naranjeros now carry early momentum into a weekend road series against the Mayos de Navojoa.

José Rolando Mora is scheduled to start Friday’s opener for Hermosillo, with Dalton Rodríguez announced for Navojoa. The game will be played at Estadio Yaquis in Ciudad Obregón.