Leandro Cedeno’s three-run homer in the top of the first gave the Navegantes del Magallanes an early lead, and they kept adding on, sailing to an easy 12-4 win in Game 1 of the Liga Venezolana de Beisbol Profesional’s championship series.
The Caribes scored three in the bottom of the first, getting a two-run double from Balbino Fuenmayor and an RBI single from Herlis Rodriguez to tie the game and chase Navegantes starter Ronnie Williams from the game before he retired a batter, but it was as close as the top team in the round robin would get.
The Navgeantes added three more in the top of the second, getting a two-run double from Carlos Sepulveda that made it a 6-3 game, and three more in the top of the sixth, with Renato Nunez and Jose Gomez each singling in runs to make it 10-3.
Angel Reyes’ two-run homer in the top of the ninth capped the scoring for the Navegantes in a game that was over far earlier.
Five Navegantes relievers combined to allow one run on nine hits after Williams left the game, with Jose Suarez going four scoreless innings, allowing five hits and striking out eight to earn the win.
The series resumes tonight at 6 p.m. EST at Estadio Alfonso Carrasquel in Puerto La Cruz, Venezuela.
2026 LVBP Championship Series Schedule
All times Eastern Standard Time
* – if necessary
Tuesday, Jan. 27
Navegantes del Magallanes 12, Caribes de Anzoategui 4 – Magallanes leads series 1-0.
Wednesday, Jan. 28
6 p.m. – Navegantes del Magallanes at Caribes de Anzoategui – Game 2
Thursday, Jan. 29
6 p.m. – Caribes de Anzoategui at Navegantes del Magallanes – Game 3
Saturday, Jan. 31
6 p.m. – Caribes de Anzoategui at Navegantes del Magallanes – Game 4
Sunday, Feb. 1
4:30 p.m. – Caribes de Anzoategui at Navegantes del Magallanes – Game 5*
Monday, Feb. 2
6 p.m. – Navegantes del Magallanes at Caribes de Anzoategui – Game 6*
Tuesday, Feb. 3
6 p.m. – Navegantes del Magallanes at Caribes de Anzoategui – Game 7*
Photo: Yadier Molina has led the Navegantes del Magallanes to a 20-12 record after taking over midway through the regular season and then to the final series after a slow start to the round robin. (Photo courtesy of LVBP)
