Mexican power: Joey Meneses and Alejandro Kirk hit home runs that excite Mexico for the World Classic

Photo: Mike Carlson/Getty Images

Mexican sluggers Joey Meneses and Alejandro Kirk excelled this Sunday with the bat in the Major Leagues. Both hit home runs in their teams’ victories, although with different fates since one has been eliminated for several weeks and the other is headed to the playoffs for the wild card.

Caba Joey Meneses hit his 12th home run of the season and his second consecutive day. The Nationals’ first baseman took advantage of a straight up the middle and faded it through the right field at the Miami Marlins’ Ioan Depot Park.

Meneses has 12 home runs, 61 hits, and 29 RBIs with a .326 average and has yet to play his first 50 games in the majors. The 30-year-old Mexican slugger first moved to the minor leagues after Juan Soto was traded to the San Diego Padres.

Alejandro Kirk hit his 14th home run for the Toronto Blue Jays in a 7-1 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays. The Mexican, lined up as the fourth bat in the lineup, faded to left field in the top of the second inning to open the scoring for the Blue Jays.

Kirk has 132 hits so far this season, and his batting average is .293, the best among catchers. The Mexican, who earned his first All-Star Game selection, has been a big piece in Toronto’s lineup.

The catcher also has 59 runs scored and 62 RBIs on the season. The Toronto team added its 86th win and is still hunting for a playoff berth in the American League wild card.

Their magic number is 4, and this Monday, they start a 3-game series against the New York Yankees at the Rogers Centre in Toronto.