UCLA Baseball: Bullpen Lets Bruins Down for First Loss of the Season

Last year, UCLA’s bullpen was a weak point for the Bruins. After UCLA’s first loss of the season, it’s possible that the bullpen could continue to be a cause for concern.

That’s because the pen gave up 4 runs over the final three innings as UCLA lost 8-6 to Baylor yesterday.

Bruin starter Jon Olsen gave up a two-run homer in the top of the first to give Baylor a quick 2-0 lead, but UCLA came right back in the bottom half of the inning. Daniel Amaral got the Bruins off to a very good start when he homered to center to cut Baylor’s lead to one. A pair of walks to Michael Toglia and Kyle Cuellar gave the Bruins runs on first and second with two outs when Jeremy Ydens tripled to left-center to put UCLA in front 3-2.

In the second, UCLA looked poised for another big inning as they loaded the bases. Will McInerny singled with one out to start off the rally while Daniel Amaral reached on a dropped fly ball by Baylor centerfielder Cole Hering. Jake Hirabayashi then walked to load the bases for UCLA. McInerny and Amaral scored on a sacrifice fly by Toglia to give UCLA a 4-2 lead.

Baylor tied it back up in the top of the third on a two-run double by Andy Thomas.

Chaset Strumpf scored on a Ryan Kriedler sacrifice fly in the 5th and Ydens also scored on the same play due to a throwing error as UCLA retook the lead and made it 6-4.

But, six runs wasn’t enough to win yesterday as the bullpen gave up a run in the seventh, another in the eighth and two in the ninth to win 8-6. Kyle Mora (0-1) took the loss for UCLA and Drew Robertson (1-0) picked up the win for Baylor.

UCLA looks to win the weekend series when the teams meet for today’s rubber game. This afternoon’s game sends Zach Pettway (1-0, 1.80 ERA) to the hill for the Bruins while RHP Hayden Kettler (1-0, 0.00 ERA) is scheduled to pitch for the Bears.

This is your UCLA vs. Baylor baseball open thread.


Go Bruins!!!