As another week of the regular season for Liga Venezolana de Beisbol Profesional (LVBP) progresses, here is a look at the top news and notes from the end of the week in Venezuela.
Águilas del Zulia comeback against Tigres de Aragua to secure second place
The Aguilas del Zulia were able to come back in the late innings against the Tigres de Aragua to secure second place in the LVBP standings. After the Tigres would score three runs against starter Alberto Guerrero, they would get one run back in the bottom of the frame, with a sac-fly from Rougned Odor to get Zulia on the board. They would tie the game at three courtesy of a two-run single from Simon Muzziotti in the second inning. The Tigres would add on two more runs in the top of the fourth, taking a 5-3 lead.
But things would change in the sixth inning, when Jose Herrera launched a two-run home run to tie things back at five apiece. Jose Pirela would add on in the seventh with an RBI single to get the Aguilas their first lead of the night, which was followed by an error made by Odubel Herrera which allowed two runners to score, as Osleivis Basabe picked up those two RBIs for the Aguilas. Pedro Rodriguez would strike out Lorenzo Cedrola to begin the ninth inning, but was then replaced by Silvino Bracho. Bracho would get Eduardo Escobar to fly out, and would strike out Jose Martinez for the Aguilas to complete their comeback against the Tigres, winning 8-5.
Navegantes del Magallanes win third game in a row, defeat Cardenales de Lara
Coming into this game winning their last two games, the Navegantes del Magallanes were searching to continue their dominant performances. Edwar Hill got the nod for the Magallanes, where he allowed a two-run single to Rangel Ravelo, and a sac-fly from Danry Vasquez for the Cardenales to jump out to a 3-0 lead. They would add on in the second inning, with an RBI double from Carlos Narvaez. The Magallanes would respond in the second inning, when Alberth Martinez would hit an RBI groundout to score Renato Nunez to get their first run of the night.
In the third inning, the Magallanes would get their offense rolling. After the Cardenales challenged the call, it would be denied as Renato Nunez would hit an RBI single to score Carlos D. Rodriguez. The next batter would reach on an error, as Luis Suisbel would score for them to trail by just one run. Alberth Martinez would then single to right field, scoring both Renato Nunez and Eliezer Alfonzo Jr., for the Magallanes to take a 5-4 lead. They would add on another run in the inning, courtesy of a Tucupita Marciano double to score Gabriel Arias, as they would cruise to a 6-4 lead. Both Alberth Martinez and Tucupita Marcano would then blast solo home runs in the fifth inning, as the Magallanes lead increased to 8-4. They would strike again in the seventh inning, with a two-run blast from Gabriel Arias, and a sac-fly from Carlos D. Rodriguez would see the Magallanes lead increase to 11-4.
As for trying to close the game out, Angel Hernandez was tasked with beginning the ninth inning. He allowed a home run to Ildemero Vargas, followed by an RBI single which scored
Harold Castro. Hernandez would be replaced by Felipe Vazquez, who would get Danry Vasquez out, but a run would score on the play, and would get Jose Rondon to groundout to finish out a nail biter, as Magallanes would defeat the Cardenales 11-7.
Luis Matos Wins LVBP Rookie of the Year
On Monday, January 6, the LVBP announced that outfielder Luis Matos has won the LVBP Rookie of the Year Award. The San Francisco Giants outfielder is playing in his first season of LVBP, with the Tiburones de La Guaira. Matos was one vote away from being the unanimous winner, securing 54 of 55 first place votes. Infielder Jose Fernandez would receive the other first place vote. After receiving the news, Matos expressed, “I’m very happy because I also get the good news that for the first time my parents will be able to go and see me play in the Major Leagues this year, so I can’t be happier right now.” In 55 games with La Guaira, Matos hit for a .300 average, adding ten home runs, 41 RBIs, and stealing three bases.
Standings:
*Qualified for Round Robin
#Qualfied for Wild Card Series
++Eliminated
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