April 5, 2011

Final Stats

BERKELEY -

Junior short stop Marcus Semien's four hit day wasn't enough as the No. 13 California Golden Bears fell 7-4 to the Pacific Tigers in a non-conference game Tuesday afternoon at Evans Diamond.

Senior right-hander Kevin Miller took the hill for the Bears, seeing his streak of scoreless innings snapped at 24.1 as the Tigers plated a run in the first inning. Miller would last four innings, allowing six hits and four runs, but only the first inning run was earned. Miller, who came into the game with the second-lowest ERA in the NCAA, still has an ERA under one, with the average rising to 0.63 after this outing.

The Bears trailed 6-0 before plating their first runs in the bottom of the seventh.After a double by Semien, his fourth hit of the game, gave Cal two on with one out, junior catcher Chadd Krist hit his 15th double of the season to drive in both runs.

The Bears did more damage in the eighth. After sophomore centerfielder Darrel Matthews and freshman pinch hitter Michael Theofanopoulos singled to lead off the eighth, senior designated hitter Austin Booker smashed an extra-base hit into right center field. Booker was called out on a close play at third as he tried to extend the hit into a triple. The Bears failed to plate another run in the inning or in the game, going down 1-2-3 in the ninth to take the 7-4 loss.

"It was really the worst game we have played all year," said head coach David Esquer. "We had some opportunities, but they don't come to much when you play bad. We have been playing really well and then we just ran into a bad game. Kevin [Miller] pitched so well for us and we didn't do him any favors in the innings that they scored on him. We made it harder on him. We can't expect him to strike out 15 batters every time. He is a piece of the puzzle, but he doesn't have to win the game."

Miller took the loss, falling to 3-2 on the season. Junior right-hander Logan Scott pitched 1.1 scoreless innings, not allowing a hit and striking out two.

In addition to Semien's four hits (4-for-5 with a run scored), Krist, Matthews, and Booker each had a pair of hits. The Bears had 13 hits in the game, outhitting the Tigers. The Bears stranded 12 runners on base.

The Bears (19-7, 5-1 Pac-10) head out onto the road for the next six games. They begin with a weekend series at the No. 22 Arizona Wildcats, playing in Tucson Friday, April 8 through Sunday, April 10. The games will be broadcast live on KALX-FM and Gametracker will be available through CalBears.com.