UCLA got behind early, but their bats came alive in the middle innings as they pounded out 10 runs in their 10-4 victory over #3 Arizona St. to even the series. Blair Dunlap led the Bruins with three hits, while Niko Gallego's three RBI were a team-best. Trevor Bauer went nine innings for the third consecutive game and he surrendered four runs on six hits to pick up his ninth victory of the year. The win also improved UCLA's record to 27-28 on the year and 15-11 in the Pac-10, which is good for third place.
Bauer got off to a very shaky start, allowing a walk then a double that put Arizona St. up 1-0. That double was followed by a balk, then a sacrifice fly and just like that, the Sun Devils led 2-0.
The Bruins got one of those runs back in the third when Gabe Cohen and Niko Gallego each notched one-out singled, then Eddie Murray was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Gino Aielli came to the plate and hit into a fielder's choice at third, which was good enough to plate one and cuz thte Sun Devils' lead to 2-1.
Casey Haerther led off the UCLA fourth with a double and was moved to third on a ground ball. After a strikeout put fear into UCLA fans' heads that maybe the Bruins wouldn't even the game, Dunlap singled on a bunt that scored Haerther to even the score at two.
Bauer temporarily lost his command in the bottom half of the fourth and it was enough to give ASU their lead back. The first two batters walked and were moved to second and third with a ground out. Bauer then gifted the Sun Devils a run with a wild pitch to give them a 3-2 lead.
Just a half inning later, Murray and Aielli each singled to begin the frame. Murray then stole third to put runners on the corners with nobody out so a fielder's choice by Cody Decker was enough to tie the game at threes.
UCLA broke the game open in the sixth inning with a four spot. After an out to begin the inning, two walks and a single loaded the bases for the Bruins. Gallego then smacked a double to left field to score two runs and give UCLA a 5-3 lead. A wild pitch then scored another run and moved Gallego to third so Murray's ground ball to second base was enough to score him.
The Bruins weren't content to be up 7-3 though. Decker was hit by a pitch to begin the seventh inning and was brought home the very next batter when Haerther doubled to deep center field. After a double by Justin Uribe put runners at second and third, Dunlap singled to score a run and extend the UCLA lead to 9-3. Gallego then chipped in one more time with a sacrifice fly to score Haerther for a 10-3 advantage.
Arizona St. was able to tally once more in the seventh, but it wasn't enough to defeat the hot UCLA bats as they are one win away from securing their fourth consecutive third place Pac-10 finish. That final game of the regular season will be played tomorrow at 1 pm PDT. As always, you can follow along with the Bruins on GameTracker via the official site. You can also get game updates, Bruins in the pros updates, updates on UCLA commits, thoughts on the