SPAIN – Jason Friedman tossed seven innings of no-hit ball and FC Barcelona beat the Tenerife Marlins 8-2 Saturday in the first game of the BaseballdeWorld Spanish League Matchup of the Week. The visitors completed the rare sweep of the five-time reigning Spanish champion with a 15-6 thrashing in the second encounter.

Barcelona tagged Marlins ace right-hander Leslie Nacar with a quick score. Leadoff man Emmanuel Febles started the opening frame with a triple to right field. Orlando Diaz put Barcelona on top with a clutch two-out RBI base hit.

Barcelona plated a pair of runs in the fifth before tallying four scores the next inning that was highlighted by a two-run double by Albert Diaz. It was more than enough support for the emerging staff ace of manager Aldo Tarife’s squad.

Friedman (2-0), coming off a 13 strikeout performance in a 5-2 win against Navarra a week earlier, sat down the first nine batters he faced before walking Minnesota Twins prospect Lesther Galvan to open the fourth. He rebounded to retire the next eight Marlins before Galvan reached on another free pass in the sixth.

The Marlins foiled the no-hit bid in the eighth when Javier Flores led off with a solo home run. Key free agent hurler Delio Miguel Martinez took over on the hill and allowed a run and three hits to seal the win.

Orlando Diaz and Oscar Angulo led a 15-hit attack and Barcelona erupted for seven runs in the fifth en route to a lopsided 15-6 shocker in the second game. Angulo, who made his debut at shortstop for Barcelona in the opening contest, went 3-for-5 with three RBIs.

Felix Isasi tallied four hits and Orlando Diaz drove in five runs for unbeaten Barcelona.

Tenerife was paced by sluggers Richard Montiel and Luis Landaeta who combined for three long balls and five RBIs.

Orlando Diaz again was right in the middle of the action, collecting five RBI. Oscar Angulo drove in three. Leadoff hitter Emmanuel Febles crossed the plate three times. Richard Montiel and Luis Landaeta led the Puerto Cruz offense with a combined seven hits, three homeruns, four runs and five RBI.

Pedro Belmonte (2-0) had a rocky eight-inning appearance giving up five runs on 12 hits but still managed to nab the win.

Photo courtesy of Diego Lazaro

Tags: Spain