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 as of Dec. 7.
Could Luis Matos win LVBP Rookie of the Year?
Current San Francisco Giants outfielder Luis Matos certainly helped his case in hopes of winning Rookie of the Year in LVBP. On Thursday night, Matos crushed two home runs for the Tiburones de La Guaira, which signified a milestone among the LVBP. Matos now becomes the third player to reach eight home runs in their first LVBP season, joining Salvador Perez and Pedro Castellanos. He was one home run shy of his third home run of the game, a feat only 21 players have accomplished in LVBP. The last player to hit three-home runs in one game for the Tiburones was catcher Carlos Castro, who did it on Nov. 19, 2022 against Anzoategui.
Eliezer Alfonzo Jr. Leaves Historic Mark in LVBP and Magallanes History
The son of former MLB and Venezuelan catcher Eliezer Alfonzo, Eliezer Alfonzo Jr., is playing for the Navegantes del Magallanes; the team his father played for from 2012-2014. Alfonzo Jr. is in his first season with the Magallanes, and he was able to put his family’s name in the record books becoming the third father-son duo to both hit a grand slam in an LVBP game. The Alfonzo’s join
Alex and Ramon Cabrera, and Carlos Cafe and Jose Cafecito Martinez as the only three to accomplish this feat. A catcher like his father, Alfonzo Jr. is a member of the Detroit Tigers organization, and so far in 27 games with the Magallanes, he is hitting .326, with three home runs and 17 RBIs.
Aguilas del Zulia Sweep Tigres de Aragua
Capturing their 24th victory of the season, the Aguilas del Zulia did so in a huge way by finalizing a series sweep of the Tigres de Aragua. This is the sixth victory in seven games this season for the Aguilas against los Tigres. Zulia was provided a huge power boost to help them remain hot, as current Washington Nationals infielder Andres Chaparro hit a home run to contribute to what ended in a 3-1 victory for the Aguilas.
LVBP Standings as of Dec. 8:
1. Cardenales de Lara 25-18
2. Aguilas del Zulia 24-20
3. Navegantes del Magallanes 23-21
4. Bravos de Margarita 23-21
5. Tiburones de La Guaira 23-22
6. Leones del Caracas 20-22
7. Tigres de Aragua 18-24
8. Caribes de Anzoategui 19-26
Get all your information and news about the Liga Venezolana de Beisbol Profesional at the World Baseball Network all year long.
You can watch the LVBP on beisbolplay.com
