University of California, Los Angeles, Athletics
UCLA
Washington
Baseball's Eight-Game Winning Streak Snapped
March 26, 2000 | Baseball
March 26, 2000
LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- The Washington Huskies scored four runs in the seventh inning to erase a three-run deficit and held on for the 7-6 victory over the UCLA baseball team, snapping the Bruins' eight-game winning streak Sunday afternoon at Jackie Robinson Stadium.
The eight-game winning streak was the longest for UCLA since 1997, a year in which the Bruins went to the College World Series. UCLA falls to 15-11 overall and 1-1 in the Pacific-10 Conference, while Washington improves to 8-12 and 1-1 in league play.
UW's Matt Gardner (1-1) picked up the victory in relief of starter Mike Bomar, pitching five innings and allowing three runs, two earned, on four hits. UCLA reliever Jon Brandt (3-4) suffered the loss, allowing four runs and six hits in 1.2 innings pitched.
The lead changed hands four different times during the game, but the Bruins began the seesaw battle with a 1-0 lead in the second inning. Junior right fielder Nick Lyon led off the inning with a single and later scored on a sacrifice fly by junior designated hitter Ryan Hamill.
Lyon, who was 3-for-4, gave UCLA a 2-0 lead with his sixth home run of the season in the fourth, but the Huskies answered with three runs in the fifth to jump ahead 3-2. Washington shortstop Tila Reynolds hit a bases loaded single up the middle off Bruin starter Josh Karp, scoring two runners, while a third came across to score on a throwing error by UCLA third baseman Randall Shelley. Karp pitched 4.2 innings, allowing three runs off two hits while striking out six. He did not allow a hit until the fifth inning.
The Bruins claimed back their lead with four runs in the bottom of the fifth. Junior center fielder Charles Merricks led off the inning with a base hit before Bomar left the game with a sore shoulder. Gardner came in and walked UCLA shortstop Josh Canales and gave up a single to second baseman Chase Utley who extended his hitting streak to a career-high 16 games.
UCLA first baseman Garrett Atkins tied the score with a sacrifice fly and right fielder Bill Scott singled home the go-ahead run, giving the Bruins a 4-3 lead. A double steal later scored Utley, and Scott came around to score on a dropped pop up in shallow right field.
The Huskies took the lead for the final time with four runs in the seventh off two walks and five consecutive hits, including an RBI single by UW designated hitter Jay Garthwaite to break the 6-6 tie.
Bruin left-hander Ryan Carter was then brought in to relieve Brandt and pitched 2.2 innings, allowing no runs and no hits, while striking out four.
The rubber match of the three-game series will take place tomorrow at 1 p.m. at Jackie Robinson Stadium. Left-hander Bobby Roe is the probable pitcher for UCLA, while right-hander Jeff Carlsen will get the starting nod for the Huskies. The game will be broadcast live on the internet at www.broadcast.com.
