Event Notes: San Diego Padres, Houston Astros To Play Spring Training Games In Mexico

The MLB San Diego Padres and the Houston Astros "will play two spring training games in Mexico City on March 26-27." The games "will mark MLB’s first in Mexico since 2004." The Padres "will be making their seventh trip south of the border, where they last went in 2002." San Diego previously played in exhibition games at Mexico City in '72 and '81; at Tijuana in '82; and at Culiacan in '97 and '01 (SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE, 1/14). ... The A-League and W-League ­finals "will be patrolled by even more sets of eyes" after Football Federation Australia announced goal-line officials "would preside over the matches." The decision comes after Sydney FC coach Graham Arnold "implored the FFA to bring in fifth and sixth officials following a string of high-profile errors from referees." The extra officials "will be positioned at either end of the field to assist referees with decisions in and around the penalty area, including penalties and goals" (AAP, 1/14).