April 28, 2012
Box Score
EUGENE, ORE. -
The California baseball lost its second tight game at No. 9-ranked Oregon, falling, 3-2, to the Ducks Saturday at PK Park in Eugene. The Golden Bears had tied the game, 2-2, on junior first baseman Mitch Delfino's RBI groundout in the fifth inning, but Oregon's Aaron Payne knocked in the game-winning RBI single to right field off of Cal starter Matt Flemer in the seventh inning for the victory. Cal, which had won six of its last seven games entering the series, is now 23-17 overall and 7-10 in Pac-12 play.
The Bears had lost to the Ducks, 4-1, Friday night, giving up three runs in the eighth inning to break up a 1-1 tie. On Saturday, Delfino was outstanding for Cal despite the loss, going 4-for-5 with his only out being the RBI ground out in the fifth inning. He had also driven in the Bears' first run with an RBI single to right field in the third inning, scoring sophomore right fielder Andrew Knapp who had started the rally with a two-out single.
Flemer's record dropped to 6-3, throwing 7.0 innings with nine hits, two earned runs, no walks and five strikeouts. Flemer has now thrown 7.0 innings or more in 10 of his 11 outings, including throwing a complete game April 14 versus Washington. The winning pitcher for the Ducks was freshman right-hander Jake Reed (7.0 innings, seven hits, two runs, four walks, three strikeouts). Jimmie Sherfy earned his 10th save, getting the final two outs in the top of the ninth.
Sophomore left-hander Kyle Porter, who hadn't pitch since April 1, threw an effective eighth inning, not allowing a hit and striking out two batters.
Junior second baseman Tony Renda and senior left fielder Danny Oh added two hits apiece for Cal. Both the Bears and the Ducks had nine hits on the day. Renda is now batting .368, while Delfino has raised his average to a team-leading .374.
Cal next plays Oregon in the third game of the series, Sunday, April 29 at 12 p.m. KNEW 960 AM, part of the IMG Sports Network, and Cal's student radio, KALX 90.7 FM, will be broadcasting Sunday's contest.
