Miami Opens Florida Series With 2-1 Loss To The Gators
Feb. 17, 2006
CORAL GABLES, Fla. (www.hurricanesports.com) – The No. 16 Miami baseball team (6-4) made the mistakes and top-ranked Florida (4-1) took advantage of the opportunities to take the first game of the three-game series, 2-1, at Mark Light Field Friday afternoon. Miami out-hit the Gators 9-4 but did not capitalize once on the base paths, and the Hurricanes’ defense allowed Florida to score both of its runs without the help of a hit in the sixth and seventh innings.
UM starter Carlos Gutierrez (3-1) was charged with the first loss of his career despite giving up just two runs on four hits, with five walks and four strikeouts in a career-high 6.1 innings. All of the hits were singles, two of which were infield singles. Florida ace Bryan Ball (2-0) pitched seven innings and gave up one run on seven hits with five strikeouts and no walks to pick up the win. Darren O’Day pitched two-thirds of an inning for his first save of the season.
Freshman Dennis Raben drove in Miami’s only run of the day, a two-out RBI double in the second inning. Danny Valencia and Walter Diaz both went 2-for-3 at the plate to lead the Hurricanes. Gator left fielder Gavin Dickey robbed Jon Jay of an extra-base hit in the sixth inning and went 2-for-4 at the plate with an RBI. Brian Leclerc had Florida’s other two hits.
Trailing 2-1, Miami freshman Yonder Alonso led off the ninth inning with a single off UF reliever Steven Porter. Freshman Nick Freitas pinch ran for Alonso and was thrown out on an attempted steal. Valencia walked and Tommy Giles singled to put runners at the corners with one out. Darren O’Day was brought in to face Roger Tomas, who pinch-hit for Raben. Tomas grounded to second and Brandon McArthur threw to first to complete the 4-3 double play and end the game.
The Hurricanes struck first with Raben’s double down the left field line to score Valencia from second in the bottom of the second inning.
Florida evened the score in the sixth, without the aid of a hit in the inning. Gutierrez walked Brian Jeroloman and Valencia’s throw to second on McArthur’s sac bunt pulled Diaz off second to put two men on with no outs. Jeroloman tagged on Bryson Barber’s fly out to right to put runners at the corners. Miami couldn’t turn the 6-4-3 double play on Gavin Dickey’s grounder and Jeroloman scored to tie the game at 1-1.
The Gators took the lead in the seventh on Jeroloman’s RBI groundout. Gutierrez was spelled by Danny Gil after walking Adam Davis and Leclerc with one out in the inning. Gil hit Matt LaPorta to load the bases prior to facing Jeroloman. He retired McArthur to end the inning with Florida holding a 2-1 advantage.
UM and UF continue the series Saturday at 1 p.m. at Mark Light Field. The game will be broadcast live on Sun Sports.
