Topic: m behind for an easy 4-1 victory ov
MADRID, Spain -- Barcelona came from behind for an easy 4-1 victory over Cartagena in the Copa del Rey on Friday to end a two-game losing streak. Carlos de Lerma struck after just six minutes to put the hosts ahead against the Spanish champions, who left Neymar on the bench. Despite missing injured trio Lionel Messi, Andres Iniesta and Xavi Hernandez, Barcelona then simply overwhelmed its third-division opponents with its sheer attacking talent. Pedro Rodriguez scored either side of Cesc Fabregas second-half volley, and substitute Jean Dongou marked his debut with a late goal as Barcelona snapped out of its first slump of the season. "We were obliged to win considering who we are and where we come from," coach Gerardo Martino said. Six matches opened the round of 32, with Juan Carlos Garrido beginning his Real Betis coaching career with a win as the struggling Spanish league side beat 10-man Lleida 2-1. None of the lower-tier clubs emerged victorious on Friday as Real Betis and Sevilla coming away from their first legs with away wins. De Lerma latched on to a bouncing ball inside the area to fire Cartagena ahead, and the hosts should have had a second 10 minutes later only Fernando Rodriguez shot wide. "They played a very intense game, they didnt stop running and showed a great attitude for the first 15 to 20 minutes," Martino said. "But after that when we controlled possession we took the legs out from under Cartegena." But Barcelona -- which had Jordi Alba return for the first time since September -- continued to pressure with its speed and combinations, with Alexis Sanchez and Pedro guilty of glaring misses before Fabregas sprung Pedro with a through ball to score from in the 36th. Fabregas volleyed Adrianos cross into the top corner to put Barcelona ahead just before the break. Sanchez re-directed Pedros cross over an empty goal just before the Chile striker put Pedro through to score in the 75th with a slick dummy around goalkeeper Jesus Limones. Dongou came on for Alexis and the Cameroon teenager latched on to Pedros shot as it came off the post in the 90th for his first goal. Lleida goalkeeper Pau Torres was red-carded in the fourth minute and his replacement, Fran Perales, saved the ensuing penalty from Jorge Molina. But Joan Verdu scored the next penalty in the 27th to put Betis ahead, and Molina made up for his earlier miss in the 42nd after a gaffe by Perales. Despite Betis scoring two away goals, Lleida pulled a goal back through Pere Milla in the 57th to stay in the second leg. Garrido replaced Pepe Mel on Monday with Betis bottom of the first division. Elsewhere, Algeciras rallied to draw 1-1 against Real Sociedad, 10-man Sevilla won 1-0 at Racing Santander, and Elche has the edge after drawing 2-2 at Villarreal in a matchup of topflight clubs. Rayo Vallecano and Valladolid drew 0-0 in the other topflight matchup. Brock Holt Jersey . -- The NFL cancelled its Hall of Fame game between St. Rick Porcello Jersey . Strasburg (1-1) got 14 consecutive outs in one stretch and allowed only three hits, including Marcell Ozunas homer in the seventh. The right-handers lone walk was to the last batter he faced. Washingtons starter Wednesday, Jordan Zimmermann, left after a career-low 1 2-3 innings, leaving the bullpen "taxed," as manager Matt Williams put it. http://www.theredsoxteamshop.com/Red-So … s-Jersey/. Ortiz hit a pair of two-run homers, including his 400th shot in a Red Sox uniform, and drove in a career high-tying six runs to power Boston past the Houston Astros 10-7 on Saturday night. Rusney Castillo Jersey . -- Ryan Gropp scored in overtime as the Seattle Thunderbirds shut out the Spokane Chiefs 1-0 in Western Hockey League play Tuesday. Roger Clemens Jersey . He did one better Sunday by holing out a pitching wedge from 142 yards for eagle, capping a remarkable 28 on the back nine to win The Championship at Laguna National. SEATTLE -- Josh Hamiltons attempt to beat out an infield grounder with a headfirst slide into first base landed him on the bench for up to two months. The 2010 AL MVP was placed on the 15-day disabled list Wednesday by the Los Angeles Angels with a torn ligament in his left thumb. He was hurt trying to hustle down the line and beat out a grounder in the seventh inning of Tuesday nights loss to Seattle. Hamilton was thrown out, but the consequences of his decision ended up being far greater. "The news sucks. Anytime you play and youre playing hard and having fun, the last thing you want to do is do something that is going to cause you to miss time and maybe hurt your team in the long run," Hamilton said. "If I could see the future, obviously, I wouldnt do it." Los Angeles said an MRI Wednesday revealed a complete tear of the thumbs ulnar collateral ligament. After initially saying hand and wrist specialist Dr. Steven Shin would operate at Kerlan-Jobe Orthopedics in Los Angeles, the Angels said Hamilton will be examined by Shin on Friday to determine whether surgery is needed. Hamilton was placed on the 15-day disabled list, and outfielder J.B. Shuck was recalled from Triple-A Salt Lake. Hamilton said he believed it was just a jammed thumb, but when he tried throwing in the outfield between innings he knew something might be wrong. Hamilton told manager Mike Scioscia to have someone pinch hit for him in the ninth. Ian Stewart batted for Hamilton and struck out with the potential tying run on base in a 5-3 loss. "Its definitely unfortunate but I think as a team you have to be able to absorb and be deep enough to absorb injuries to players and Josh is a special talent who is off to a great start for us. Well do our best to fill that void," Scioscia said. &qquot;Over the years, weve had a lot of our key players miss significant time, but weve been able to absorb it and move on.dddddddddddd Thats what we have to focus on doing now for the next six, eight weeks, whatever the time frame is going to end up being." Scioscia said the Angels lineup could see mixing and matching while Hamilton is out. Collin Cowgill was in the lineup in left field and leading off, with Kole Calhoun dropped to sixth in the order and Howie Kendrick moved up to Hamiltons usual No. 5 slot. A five-time All-Star, Hamilton has struggled since signing a $125 million, five-year contract with the Angels before the 2013 season. He hit a career-low .250 last year with 21 homers and 79 RBIs, his poorest power numbers since 2009. He was batting .207 with 25 RBIs through June 23, then hit .289 with 54 RBIs during the rest of the season. Hamilton strained a calf muscle during a baserunning drill on Feb. 25 and didnt play in his first spring training game until March 17. He is hitting .444 with two homers and six RBIs in 27 at-bats this season. Hamilton believes he can still keep his timing down with his swing even while hes sidelined. "Disappointing in general that youve got to miss some time, because as a player you prepare the whole off-season to come in and do what you can to help contribute to your team winning ballgames," he said. "Thats the most disappointing part of the injury." The injury rekindled the debate about sliding into first base. Hamilton wasnt the only player to make that choice in Tuesdays game. Seattles Michael Saunders had an awkward slide into first base running out a ground ball. "Its just part of who I am. Ive done that a lot," Hamilton said. "Who knows if I will ever do that again?" ' ' '