SPAIN – The four-time defending Spanish League champion Marlins Puerto Cruz opened the 2009 season with a pair of convincing wins over San Inazio Bilbao, 17-2 and 10-0, on Saturday to start their quest for a fifth consecutive title off on the right track.

San Inazio grabbed a short-lived 1-0 lead in the second when Imanol Lanzagorta connected for a solo home run off Marlins starter Leslie Nacar. However, the long ball would prove to be the only hit of the game for the visitors as the BaseballdeWorld No. 3 ranked European squad scored nine unanswered runs over the next three frames to go on top 9-1.

A run by San Inazio in the top of the fifth made the score 9-2, but the Marlins erupted for eight runs in the bottom of the inning to end the game due to the 10-run mercy rule.

The reigning champions unleashed a 21-hit attack – including five doubles and a home run – in the season opener with several players swinging the bats in mid-season fashion.

Juan Carlos Macías and Daniel Sanchez (two doubles) led the hit parade with four hits apiece, while Daniel Martinez went 3-for-3 with a double, home run and four RBIs.

Nacar (1-0) picked up the win with five strong innings allowing two runs on just a lone hit.

MARLINS BLANK SAN INAZIO IN DOUBLEHEADER FINALE

The Marlins wrapped up the sweep with a 10-0 win over San Inazio Bilbao in the second game as left-hander Ivan Granados (1-0) struck out seven in a three-hit shutout to get the win.

A four-run first inning set the tone for the home team which built a 9-0 lead after five innings and cruised to the seven inning victory.

Sanchez continued swinging the lumber well collecting his third and fourth doubles of the young season, and Martinez added a pair of extra-base hits (2B and 3B) for the Marlins who banged out 32 hits in the season-opening twin bill.

SCOREBOARD:

El Llano 7,7 Pamplona 0,0
Halcones 5,13 Astros 3,4
Sant Boi 13,10 Baseball Navarra 0,1
FC Barcelona 2,11 Viladecans 1,1

Photo courtesy of Ralf Piva

Tags: Spain