FC Barcelona – CD Pamplona 5-1, 10-0
After rain washed out game one on Saturday, the FC Barcelona and CD Pamplona played two on Sunday in the Spanish Division de Honor. Barca won both games and improved to 5-1 for the season. In game one Jason Friedman (W 1-0) got his first start of the season, allowing just one run on three hits and two walks in seven innings to lead them to a 5-1 victory. He struck out nine. Ricardo Hernandez, who issued just one hit in 18 innings in the first two weeks of the season, closed it out in relief. Oscar Angulo drove in two. Alexis Fumero (L 0-3) was charged with seven hits, four runs (2 ER) and three bb in four innings.
In the second match Jorge Balboa (W 1-0) led the FCB to a 10-0 shutout, issuing four hits and five walks in seven scoreless innings. He picked up eight Ks and his first win of the season. At the plate once again Oscar Angulo led the way, going 4-for-4 with a triple and three RBI. Rafael Llames scored twice. Alberto Casanellas (L 0-1) gave up nine hits, six runs and three bb in 5 2/3 innings for the loss.
Astros Valencia – Halcones de Vigo 2-1, 10-6
The Astros Valencia continue to show that they are a legit threat to win the championship in Spanish Baseball. On Sunday they won 2-1 and 10-6 against Halcones de Vigo. They are now 5-1 and right in the middle of the pack behind leader CB Sant Boi. Vigo dropped to 2-4 after consecutive splits against Baseball Navarra and San Inazio Bilbao on the first two weekends.
San Inazio Bilbao – CB Sant Boi 0-2, 3-6
San Inazio Bilbao inaugurated its refurbished ballpark with a two-game series against reigning champion CB Sant Boi last weekend. And the Spanish champion prevailed in both games. On Saturday Eliezer Garcia (W 2-0), a former minor league hurler in the Kansas City Royals system, struck out 14 batters in nine scoreless innings to lead CB to a 2-0 shutout. He allowed just two hits and four walks in his outing. Jose Romero (L 2-1) nearly matched his counterpart, but had to take the tough loss, issuing three hits, a run and three bb in 6 1/3 innings. He struck out seven. Yaeko Vazquez scored the first run on a RBI single by Daniel Martinez in the fifth. Marc Carrillo added an insurance run in the eighth, when he walked and scored on an error.
In game two on Sunday Sant Boi took a fast 3-0 lead after three innings en route to a 6-3 win. William Domero and Yaeko Vazquez had four hits apiece, while Domero drove in two. Daniel Sanchez also picked up two RBI. On the mound Lowin Sacramento (W 3-0) gave up four hits, a run and three bb in seven innings. Alberto Magallon (L 0-2) was charged with 14 hits, five runs (1 ER) and four walks in 6 1/3 innings.
Baseball Navarra – Tenerife Marlins Puerto Cruz 0-8, 7-6
Baseball Navarra and the Tenerife Marlins Puerto Cruz settled for the split in their twin bill on Saturday. In game one Miguel Rizo (W 1-0) celebrated his comeback in the Division de Honor after nearly three years with eight scoreless innings to lead his new team from Tenerife to an 8-0 shutout. The right-hander gave up just five hits and two walks in eight innings. He struck out seven. Yancarlo Franco led the offense, going 3-for-5 with a homerun, two runs scored and two RBI. Deion Galvan and Dewis Navarro scored twice too. Juan Jose Lopez (L 0-1) took the loss after eight innings, nine hits, six runs (5 ER) and four bb.
In the second match Navarra blew a 6-4 lead in the top of the ninth, but still got away with a 7-6 win thanks to a walk-off RBI single by Aritz Leiva in the bottom of the frame. Adolfo Gonzalez went 4-for-4 with a double and four runs scored, including the game-winner. Victor Martinez and Hector Perozo (homerun in 3rd) combined for five RBI. Dewis Navarro led the Marlins with four RBI. His two-run double had tied the contest in the ninth. Andres Casado (NAV) gave up twelve hits, four runs (2 ER) and three bb in seven innings. Yorking Cespedes (W 1-0) got the win in relief. Yoel Hernandez (L 1-1) allowed ten hits, seven runs and five walks in 8 2/3 innings. He struck out twelve.
The doubleheader between CB Viladecans and the Sevilla Red Sox got rained out.
{mrb-standing:spain-2011}
Photo: © Diego Lazaro