UCLA’s Canning Shuts Out Stanford; Bruins Win 2-0

The UCLA Bruin Baseball team (15-15, 8-5 PAC 12) got a masterful performance out of their ace last night against the Stanford Cardinal (18-11, 4-6) in Palo Alto, helping the Bruins to victory, 2-0, in game one of the three game series. Game two is tonight at 7 p.m. PT.

Griffin Canning (3-2, 2.77 ERA), who pitched very well early in the season but did not get any run support from UCLA hitters, threw a complete game and received just enough offensive help from the Bruin hitters to notch the win. Canning’s numbers were impressive, most impressive.

He threw 122 pitches, struck out twelve (tying season and career highs), allowed only four hits (all singles), zero walks, and hit one batter with a pitch. Canning faced only 32 batters, and no Stanford runner ever reached third base. It was a maestro performance on the day that Canning was named as one of the last 40 players eligible for the 2017 Golden Spikes award, given to the top amateur in the country.

UCLA only managed six hits of its own, but two of those occurred in the first inning, sandwiched around a hit-by-pitch and an RBI walk, putting UCLA up, 1-0. UCLA plated its second run of the game in the 7th inning, on the strength of two walks and a timely RBI single by freshman, Jack Stronach.

Kris Bubic (2-6) took the loss for the Cardinal. Although he only gave up four hits, he also walked four Bruins and hit three batters, leading to his demise.

Tonight, UCLA will send senior righthander, Moises Ceja (1-2, 2.68 ERA), to the hill. Stanford will counter with junior lefty, Andrew Summerville (1-1, 3.00 ERA). First pitch is at 7 p.m. PT. The Bruins will seek the series win and look to elevate their record above .500.

The game is televised on the PAC 12 Network. You can also stream live audio of the game or follow with live statistics.

This is your UCLA Bruin Baseball versus Stanford Cardinal game two open thread.

Go Bruins!