No. 15 Hurricanes Fall to Bethune-Cookman, 1-0
May 8, 2009
CORAL GABLES, Fla. –Bethune-Cookman’s Ryan Durrence’s leadoff solo home run in the top of the ninth broke a scoreless tie as the Wildcats shut out No. 15 Miami, 1-0, Friday night in game one of the three-game series at Alex Rodriguez Park at Mark Light Field. The Hurricanes fell to 31-17 while Bethune-Cookman improved to 28-25.
Miami starter Chris Hernandez and Bethune-Cookman starter Hiram Burgos both were locked into a pitcher’s duel over the first seven innings. Hernandez pitched seven scoreless innings and struck out six while giving up six hits. Burgos tossed six scoreless innings for the Wildcats and limited the Hurricanes to four hits while striking out eight and walking five.
Nathan Melendres led UM going 2-for-3 as UM was held to just five hits. Jason Hagerty reached base four times, with a single and three walks. Chris Brown led the Wildcats at the plate, also going 2-for-3.
Edgar Serra (1-1) earned the win as he threw 1 1/3 scoreless innings in relief of Burgos. Felix Machado recorded his first save of the season. Daniel Miranda (3-3) was saddled with the loss, giving up just the one run in two innings.
Durrence hit the fourth pitch he saw over the left field fence in the top of the ninth. Miami then had its chance in the bottom of the ninth. Melendres led off the ninth with a single up the middle and moved to second on a groundout. After Ryan Jackson drew a one-out walk, Hagerty flied out deep to left field. With two outs, Chris Herrmann followed with another walk, bringing Yasmani Grandal to the plate. With the count full at 3-2, Grandal lined a ball up the middle that hit off Machado’s thigh. Machado regrouped to record the out at first, ending the game.
Hurricanes first threat to score came in the fourth when they loaded the bases with two out on a bunt single, a throwing error and a walk. Scott Lawson then drove the fourth pitch he saw deep into right field but Chris Brown made the catch to end the inning.
Miami’s next threat came in the bottom of the sixth. Grandal drew a lead-off walk and stole second. Two outs later, Ted Blackman reached when he was hit by a pitch. Melendres then singled to center, but Grandal was thrown out at home to keep the `Canes off the board.
The Hurricanes and the Wildcats will continue their three-game series Saturday at 7 p.m. Left-hander Iden Nazario (5-3, 6.22 ERA) will take the mound for UM while Bethune-Cookman will counter with Eric Thomas (1-2, 7.25 ERA).
Game Notes
– LHP Chris Hernandez’s seven scoreless innings against Bethune-Cookman Friday night was his longest scoreless streak since holding Clemson scoreless through eight innings in the 2008 ACC Championship opener on May 21, 2008. Hernandez had three outings as a freshman in 2008 where he held his opponents scoreless through eight innings.
– In Hernandez’s last three starts, he’s allowed two earned runs in 20 1/3 innings (0.88 ERA) and struck out 20 batters.
– Friday night’s game was the longest UM and its opponent went scoreless in a game since March 20, 1998 when Miami defeated North Carolina, 1-0, in 10 innings. After eight scoreless innings, the Wildcats scored the game’s first run in the top of the ninth.
-Miami left 14 runners on base.
– Nathan Melendres recorded his 10th multi-hit game, finishing 2-for-3.
