Prior to the weekend, freshman pitcher Gerrit Cole called the Bruins’ weekend rotation “a balanced, 1-2-3 punch.”
That balance was evident in UCLA’s series win against Oregon.
Despite losing Friday night, the Bruins (22-22, 13-8 Pac-10) received stellar pitching from each of their three starters to earn a series victory over the Ducks (14-31, 4-14) in Eugene.
“The starting pitching that we’re getting in conference is as good as there is,” coach John Savage said. “They’ve thrown the ball extremely well.”
Sunday’s 8-1 win, combined with Washington State’s loss to Stanford, moved the Bruins into second place in the conference standings. The Bruins have won seven of their last nine conference games.
“Starting pitching has a big impact on how the game goes,” said freshman pitcher Trevor Bauer, who earned the win Saturday. “The pitching staff is not giving up big innings. As a team, it’s easy to come back and score runs because (the pitching) keeps us in the game.”
Cole kept the Bruins in Friday night’s game, but Oregon pitcher Erik Stavert outdueled him. Although UCLA’s right-hander hurled a complete game, Bruin hitters could not figure out Stavert, who pitched eight innings to win his fifth game for the last-place Ducks.
Cole allowed one earned run, struck out four batters and surrendered six hits, but he dropped his fourth game of the season.
Bauer, the second of UCLA’s weekend trio, continued his impressive season in a 6-2 win Saturday.
“I just went out there to compete,” Bauer said. “I did the best I could to keep my team in the game.”
Like Cole a night before, the 18-year-old Bauer did more than keep the Bruins in the game. The right-hander stifled the Ducks’ bats, giving up just two runs and pitching his second complete game of the season.
“I enjoy throwing complete games,” Bauer said. “If I’m going good and the team’s doing well, I can go out there and finish it for them.”
With the series knotted at one game apiece, Savage looked to junior pitcher Charles Brewer for a strong performance Sunday. As he did last week in the finale against Oregon State at Jackie Robinson Stadium, Brewer delivered.
The right-hander earned his third victory and secured the series by allowing one run in six innings pitched.
“Charles has really pitched well on Sundays,” Savage said. “He’s doing exactly what he needs to do.”
Sunday’s game was tightly contested until the Bruins managed to break through with a six-run rally in the seventh inning.
UCLA led 2-1 heading into the seventh, yet three Oregon pitchers combined to issue four walks, hit a batter and throw three wild pitches.
With Sunday’s win, the Bruins finally balanced their wins and losses. The last time UCLA was at .500 was in late February ““ four games into the season.
Earning another conference series win was important for the Bruins, who still have hopes of capturing a fourth-straight postseason berth.
“Friday night’s loss was tough,” Savage said. “Cole really threw the ball well. There were two unearned runs in that game and that was really the difference. … But the team bounced back and ended up winning the series.”