Hurricanes Collapse Late In 7-4 Loss To UCLA
Feb. 11, 2006
LOS ANGELES – The University of Miami bullpen gave up four runs in the eighth inning in a 7-4 loss to UCLA at Jackie Robinson Stadium Saturday afternoon. UM dropped to 4-3 while the Bruins improved to 2-3.
Miami led 4-3 heading into the eighth inning on a pair of solo home runs from Eddy Rodriguez and Tommy Giles, a sacrifice fly from Jon Jay and a wild pitch in the seventh inning to score Yonder Alonso.
UM reliever Raudel Alfonso came on to start the eighth and walked Sean Smith and Chris Jensen before Eric Taylor Jr. reached on a fielder’s choice bunt to load the bases with no outs. Freshman Dennis Raben came in and hit pinch hitter Hector Ambriz to drive in Smith and tie the game. Ricky Orta gave up a run-scoring walk and a pair of RBI singles before the inning ended.
UCLA reliever Brant Rustich forced Danny Valencia into a game-ending double play in the ninth inning to earn his first win of the season. Alfonso (0-1) was charged with the loss for Miami.
Miami starter Manny Miguelez pitched seven solid innings and gave up three earned runs with three strikeouts in his second consecutive no-decision.
Blake Tekotte led off the game with a double to right field off Duff and stole third with one out. Jay hit a sacrifice fly to center to bring Tekotte home and give Miami a 1-0 lead. Giles hit a two-out solo shot to right field in the fourth to give the Hurricanes a 2-0 advantage.
UCLA tied the score at 2-2 in the sixth on a pair of solo home runs from Will Penniall and Tim Stewart.
Rodriguez answered for the Hurricanes with a two-out solo home run to center in the seventh. Ryan Babineau evened the score at 3-3 with an RBI double to left to score Mike Metzger.
Miami retook the lead, 4-3, in the eighth when Alonso advanced home from third on UCLA Rustich’s wild pitch to Rodriguez.
The three-game series between the two teams concludes Sunday afternoon with a 1 p.m. (PT) first pitch.
