RECAP: Cancun Wild Card Playoffs, Day 1

Pirates 1, Giants 0

Paul Skenes delivered an outstanding performance for the Pirates, striking out 273 batters over 8 innings and setting a new MLB and Cancun record by fanning Rafael Devers five times in three innings.

Oneil Cruz hit a crucial home run off Logan Webb, giving the Pirates a 1-0 lead that held as the final score.

The game included quirky elements like Livvy Dunne attending to support Skenes and announcers Gary Busey and Ben Verlander, adding a humorous twist to the broadcast.

Pickles 4, Rockies 2

Trevor Bauer, a real MLB pitcher with a controversial past, replaces the injured Dillon T. Pickle, striking out 19 straight batters in the game.

Kris Bryant, a key Rockies player, hits a home run but later suffers an ankle injury, ruling him out for the remainder of the Wild Card round.

The Pickles' use of a random fan as a pinch hitter, who hits a 3-run homer, leads to a brawl, adding a chaotic twist to the narrative.

The game concludes with a 4-2 Pickles victory, influenced by an inside-the-park home run by Carter Frederick.

Samurai 10, White Sox 0

In-game action kicks off with North Japan taking an early 3-0 lead, sparked by a Clarc Olsen single and an Ichiro walk, followed by Tony Ohtani's impactful contribution.

The lead grows to 6-0 thanks to Munetaka Murakami’s impressive home run, described as an "absolute missile," showcasing the team's offensive prowess.

Mini Moto, the starting pitcher, dominates with 22 strikeouts, notably disposing of Luis Robert Jr., while Yasiel Puig seals the game with a staggering 653-foot homer, pushing the score to 10-0.

The White Sox struggle to respond, and the game concludes with a decisive 10-0 victory for North Japan, underscored by quirky elements like announcers Gary Busey and Ben Verlander and key matchups such as Tony Ohtani versus the Cancun Dome roof.

Astros 5, Angels 3

The game unfolds with dramatic moments, starting with Jose Altuve launching a leadoff home run to put the Astros on the board, only for Zach Neto to tie the game with his own first Cancun home run for the Angels.

Framber Valdez showcases his skill by striking out Mike Trout to escape a bases-loaded jam in the fourth inning, maintaining tension.

Yordan Alvarez then unleashes a 217 MPH rocket into the Angels' bullpen, giving the Astros a 2-1 lead, but Jorge Soler counters with a home run into the Cancun Dome waterfall, putting the Angels ahead 3-2 late.

The game swings back as Josh Reddick delivers a clutch three-run homer to reclaim the lead for the Astros at 5-3, a score that holds as the final result. The broadcast, featuring the eccentric duo of Gary Busey and Evan Gattis, adds a humorous touch to this wild, back-and-forth contest on September 30, 2025.