#11 UCLA Baseball Hopes Some Home Cooking Gets Them Back on Track

And, just like that the Bruin bats went silent. After eight games where the Bruins scored no fewer than 6 runs in a game, UCLA couldn’t even buy enough runs this past weekend against the Arizona Wildcats.

First, they were shut out on Thursday. On Friday, they could only score once. Saturday was better, but the Bruins’ three runs still weren’t enough to beat the Wildcats, who put up six.

UCLA starter Ryan Garcia gave up two runs in the bottom of the first to start the game.

But, the Bruins got those runs back in the top of the third when Chase Strumpf hit a two-run homer that also scored Kevin Kendall.

In the bottom half of the inning, Garcia gave up a solo shot to Alfonso Rivas to give Arizona a 3-2 lead and he gave up two more in the fourth when Donta Williams hit an RBI triple and later score to make it, 5-2. Arizona added an insurance run in the sixth.

The Bruins were able to score again in the ninth when Jack Stronach hit an RBI single that scored Garrett Mitchell with two outs, but the Bruins couldn’t even get the tying run to the plate.

Tonight, the Bruins look to get things back on track in the friendly confines of Jackie Robinson Stadium. UCLA will be looking for payback after losing to the Dirtbags last month, 8-1.

This game looks to be a potentially high-scoring one as neither starter has an ERA under 5.00. Jack Ralston (0-3, 5.73 ERA) is scheduled to take the hill for the Bruins while freshman Jake Lopez will get the start for the Dirtbags.

Tonight’s game will be televised on Pac-12 Network Los Angeles with Jim Watson and Dean Stotz on the call. Of course, Tim Wilhelm will have the audio call on the official site.

This is your UCLA Bruins vs. Long Beach State Dirtbags Tuesday night baseball open thread.

Go Bruins!!!