Andrés Chaparro hit the first home run of his MLB career

Chaparro hit his first home run against the organization that signed him / Photo: MLB

Venezuelan rookie Andrés Chaparro hit the first home run of his Major League Baseball (MLB) career on Tuesday in his team’s 4-2 victory over the New York Yankees.

Chaparro, who was batting fifth and designated hitter, hit the ball out of left field at Nationals Park. It was a solo homer off the pitches of star starter Gerrit Cole, which put the score 2-0 in favor of the capital team in the fourth inning.

It is worth remembering that the player, who was Rookie of the Year in the 2023/2024 season of the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League (LVBP) with Águilas del Zulia, debuted in the Majors on August 13, after eight seasons in the Minor Leagues.

A special touch

The homer against the New Yorkers also had a special flavor. In addition to being his first in the Major Leagues, it was against the team that signed him for organized baseball.

Chaparro, a native of El Vigía, Mérida state, went 1-for-4 with a run scored and an RBI (four). Keibert Ruiz from Carabobo failed in four at-bats.

Another Venezuelan who saw action in Washington’s victory was reliever Eduardo Salazar. The pitcher, who in Venezuela belongs to Caribes de Anzoátegui, got one out by way of a strikeout and issued a walk.

On the opposite sidewalk played Caracas native Gleyber Torres, who went 1-for-4.

Puerto La Cruz/ Javier A. Guaipo