MEXICAN PLAYERS BEGIN SEASON OVERSEAS

A trio of Mexican ballplayers began their 2010 regular seasons in Asia. Former Padres second baseman Edgar Gonzalez made his debut with Tokyo’s Yomiuri Giants last week, drawing a walk and scoring a run in the Giants’ 4-1 Central League win over the Yakult Swallows in front of over 44,000 fans at the Tokyo Dome. Yomiuri is the defending league champion.

Two other Mexicans are playing in the Korea Baseball Organization. Karim Garcia, who has become a huge star in South Korea, blasted a homer for the Lotte Giants in a 3-2 opening day loss to the Nexen Heroes, while pitcher Edgar Gonzalez went five strong innings for the LG Twins in their 7-5 win in 11 innings over the Samsung Lions. Gonzalez left the game with a 4-2 lead.