European Cup Matino: AVG Draci Brno – FC Barcelona 1-4
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In a game, which was dominated by pitching, a bases clearing double by Orlando Diaz in the top of the eighth turned out to be the decisive hit in a 4-1 victory of the FC BARCELONA over AVG DRACI BRNO. It was the first win for the Spanish team in the first game in Matino. BRNO already lost for the second time and has to fight against relegation on Saturday.
DRACI actually got off to a better start, when Karel Hrusovsky sent a pitch over the right field fence for a solo homerun. BARCELONA needed until the top of the seventh to tie the contest against the strong Pat Ahearne (L 0-1). Jorge Miqueleiz, who had reached with a leadoff triple, scored on a single by Juan Salazar. One frame later they loaded the bases with two outs and Diaz came through with a double to the center field wall, bringing home Miqueleiz, Jason Friedman and Emmanuel Febles.
However not the offensive players were the story of the game, but the duel between the former Major Leaguer Ahearne and the Venezuelan left-hander Homer Baez (W 1-0). The southpaw struck out 13 in a complete game effort, allowing just one run on four hits and a walk. The BRNO starter wasn’t much behind, going also nine innings, giving up five hits, four runs and three bb, while striking out three.