Wearing a lucha libre mask in Padres colors and a City Connect jersey with the number 619 on the back, famed wrestler Rey Mysterio introduced the Padres’ starting lineup from center field before Saturday’s game, then gave fist-bumps to the players as they lined up for the national anthems of both Mexico and the United States.

The Padres beat the Diamondbacks 6-4 Saturday in the first game of the 2026 edition after sweeping San Francisco in the first Mexico City Series in 2023. "We can probably call this place Petco South," Padres manager Craig Stammen said in reference to the Padres' Petco Park home. "I think that's a good nickname for it."

As much as any juncture this season, two days in Mexico City reinforced why the Padres can proceed with at least cautious optimism. A split with the Diamondbacks left them at 17-5 in April; despite a 1-4 start and limited production from its top players, San Diego has the third-best record in the majors.

Diamondbacks score six runs in the seventh and three more in the eight to earn split off Padres’ leaky bullpen.