University of Louisville
MEMPHIS
Memphis Edges No. 8 Louisville with Ninth Inning Run
April 05, 2014 | Baseball
April 5, 2014
Senior outfielder Jeff Gardner was 2-for-4 with two RBI in Saturday's 3-2 loss to Memphis.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - After pulling even with two runs in the eighth, the No. 8 Louisville baseball team saw the game slip away in the ninth inning of a 3-2 loss to Memphis on Saturday afternoon at Jim Patterson Stadium.
With two outs and no baserunners, the Tigers (18-13, 3-5 American) earned a walk and back-to-back singles to regain command for good and even the three-game series with the Cardinals (22-8, 3-2 American). The deciding third game in the American Conference series is set for Sunday at 1 p.m., ET and admission is free at Jim Patterson Stadium.
The top of the ninth started innocent enough after Nate Rupiper flew out to left and Ford Wilson grounded out to third against Louisville junior lefty Joe Filomeno (Cicero, Ill.). However, first baseman Tucker Tubbs started the rally with a walk and moved to second on a single by outfielder Bryce Beeler before scoring the game-winning run on a RBI single to left by third baseman Drew Griffin. The Cardinals threatened in the bottom of the ninth after freshman outfielder Colin Lyman (Algonquin, Ill.) earned a leadoff walk and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by freshman Logan Taylor (Lexington, Ky.). However, Lyman was left stranded there after a flyout and a groundout ended the game.
Filomeno was charged with the loss and dropped to 1-3 on the season after allowing one run on two hits and two walks in 1.1 innings of relief. Righty starter Jon Reed earned the win for Memphis and improved to 4-1 on the season after allowing two runs on six hits with six strikeouts in eight innings. Beeler took the mound in the ninth to close it out and earned his seventh save of the season.
The Tigers plated the first run of the afternoon in the second inning when Tubbs scored from first on a RBI double to center by Beeler. Tubbs reached base to lead off the inning when he was hit by a pitch from junior righty Jared Ruxer (Indianapolis, Ind.).
Memphis added to its lead in the seventh when Beeler delivered an RBI sacrifice fly to center to score outfielder Kane Barrow for the 2-0 lead. The inning started with a leadoff double down the left field line by Barrow, who moved to third on a groundout to the right side before scoring.
The Cardinals finally broke through against Reed in the eighth evening the score at 2-2 on a two-out, two-run single up the middle by senior outfielder Jeff Gardner (Louisville, Ky.). Senior third baseman Alex Chittenden (Indianapolis, Ind.) and junior shortstop Sutton Whiting (New Wilmington, Pa.) scored on the play after reaching with back-to-back singles and advancing on a sacrifice bunt by senior outfielder Cole Sturgeon (Owensboro, Ky.).
Gardner was the only Louisville player with more than one hit after finishing 2-for-4 with those two RBI. On the mound, Ruxer finished with a no-decision after allowing two runs on three hits with four strikeouts in 6.1 innings.
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Louisville Postgame Notes
- The Cardinals dropped to 0-7 this season when scoring three or fewer runs.
- After each team finished with six hits on Saturday, Louisville fell to 5-8 this season when they don't out-hit their opponent.
- Saturday marked the Cardinals' first loss in a one-run game this season after winning the previous three.
- Louisville dropped to 14-2 this season in games against righty starters.
- The run in the ninth inning on Saturday marked just the fourth time this season the Cardinals have allowed a run in the ninth. They have lost two of those four games.
- With two hits and two RBI for the second straight game, senior Jeff Gardner leads the Cardinals with 14 multiple hit games and 13 multiple RBI performances this season.
- Despite earning a no-decision on Saturday, junior Jared Ruxer provided his fifth quality start in the last six starts overall. On the season, Ruxer is 5-1 with a 2.72 ERA and 40 strikeouts in eight starts and 46.1 innings pitched.
