After missing his start on opening night last Friday due to what coach John Savage called "mechanical problems," junior left-hander Gavin Brooks got the starting nod Wednesday.
Perhaps the problems persist.
The Vista, Calif. native came in from the bullpen for an inning of relief Sunday, giving up four runs (two earned), two hits and walking three batters.
Brooks walked the second batter of Wednesday night’s game but struck out UC Riverside’s Michael Hur to leave the runner stranded at third base.
Things went downhill from there.
The southpaw hit the first three batters he faced to load the bases in the second inning. UCR first baseman Brian McConkey cleared them with a double to left-center field. Brooks walked the following batter and then hit the ensuing hitter, forcing Savage to summon junior right-hander Charles Brewer from the ‘pen.
In all, the Highlanders posted six runs in the second inning on just two hits.
Photo by Kimberly Lajcik/Bruin senior staff