Carlos Colmenarez Hits Grand Slam as Cardenales Rally Past Águilas 11-8

BARQUISIMETO, Venezuela — Rookie Carlos Colmenarez hit a third-inning grand slam and drove in five runs on Friday, October 23, as Cardenales de Lara rallied to beat Águilas del Zulia 11-8 in the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League (LVBP). The victory moved Lara to 6-2, half a game behind league-leading Tigres de Aragua.

Colmenarez turns a four-run deficit into a lead

Zulia had the better of the opening innings at Estadio Antonio Herrera Gutiérrez. Three runs in the first and further scoring in the second and third put the visitors ahead 5-1, leaving Lara facing an early uphill climb.

The game flipped in the bottom of the third. Cardenales put together a five-run inning, capped by Colmenarez’s drive over the center-field fence with the bases loaded. His grand slam turned a four-run deficit into a 6-5 lead and brought the home crowd back into the game.

But the swing did not settle the contest. Águilas worked their way back in front 7-6 by the fifth. Lara responded with two runs in the seventh, only for Zulia to tie the game at 8-8 in the eighth. Cardenales finally broke away with three runs in the bottom of that inning to secure the 11-8 win.

Five RBIs keep Lara close to first place

Colmenarez finished with five RBIs, while Rangel Ravelo drove in two runs for Cardenales. Lara collected 11 hits and went 6-for-14 with runners in scoring position, according to the club’s game report. For Zulia, Aron Estrada had five hits in five at-bats, but the visitors could not hold their leads.

Gustavo Rodríguez earned the win to improve to 2-0, with Pedro Rodríguez taking the loss (0-1). The result left Águilas at 3-7 and gave Cardenales a second consecutive victory over Zulia.

The early-season standings now set up a direct test for Lara: Cardenales travel to Maracay to face the 7-2 Tigres on Saturday, October 24, with first place within reach. Friday’s comeback showed why that meeting could matter even this early in the LVBP campaign.