Gaels bite UCI bullpen

IRVINE — With host UC Irvine three outs away from completing a nonconference baseball sweep of Saint Mary’s Saturday at about 3 p.m., home-plate umpire Michael Gilmore directed Anteater Ballpark officials to turn on the lights.

One could suggest that the growing reputation of the No. 11-ranked Anteaters’ bullpen played into Gilmore’s decision.

True enough, UCI relievers coughed up a would-be victory for starter Eric Pettis, who left after eight innings having thrown 125 pitches. He allowed one run on seven hits, while striking out five.

After rallying to erase a one-run deficit in the ninth inning, the Gaels (3-6) scored twice in the 10th to claim a 4-2 triumph that served to cast more spotlight on a scuffling UCI relief corps.

UCI freshman Andy Lines walked the only hitter he faced to start the ninth.

Sophomore Andy Summers gave up the single that drove in the tying run in the ninth, marking the fourth blown save issued to UCI relievers this season. He then yielded a two-run home run by Troy Channing on an 0-2 pitch in the 10th to absorb his second loss in three decisions.

UCI relievers have collectively posted a 6.88 earned-run average this season, allowing 51 hits and 42 runs (27 earned) in 35 1/3 innings. The UCI bullpen has issued 18 walks and posted 44 strikeouts.

“Again,” UCI Coach Mike Gillespie said of the bullpen struggles. “And it’s not like it’s any one guy. It’s more than one guy, so we’re still trying to find the guy.”

Pettis, an All-American closer the last two seasons, both of which he recorded 17 saves, had been “the guy.” And, he was clearly the man of the hour in his newfound starting role Saturday.

Pettis was also bouncing back after throwing 12 pitches Friday in a perfect ninth inning of Game 1 of UCI’s doubleheader sweep of the Gaels to post his first save of 2010.

His eight innings were the most in his 89 appearances as an Anteater.

“I loved Pettis’ pitching performance today,” Gillespie said of the senior right-hander, who allowed just four hits after Michael Gastelum’s second-inning single drove in the Gaels’ first run.

“He wanted to stay in there [for the ninth], but the problem was, he had thrown more than 120 pitches after having thrown the night before.”

Pettis essentially recorded five outs to overcome an error and a strikeout victim reaching on a wild pitch in a scoreless fifth inning.

Pettis helped his cause by picking off a runner at first in the seventh and induced an inning-ending double play in the fourth.

Pettis lowered his ERA to 2.73 and, along with senior All-American starter Danny Bibona (2-1 with a 3.26 ERA) and freshman Evan Brock (2-0 with a 2.89 ERA in three appearances covering 9 1/3 innings) are what’s right with the UCI pitching staff thus far.

UCI (6-5) tied it in the fifth on a two-out, RBI double by junior center fielder Sean Madigan.

UCI took the lead in the seventh, when sophomore left fielder Ronnie Shaeffer singled with one out. Cory Olson came in to pinch run and Olson went to third on a hit-and-run single by sophomore designated hitter Jordan Leyland.

Senior second baseman Casey Stevenson then plated Olson with a sacrifice fly.

Senior right fielder Ryan Fisher (second) and Madigan (eighth) doubled to open an inning and sophomore shortstop Tommy Reyes singled to start the third. But the ’Eaters failed to score each time.

Madigan, now hitting .455, was two for five, while Leyland was two for four to lift his average to .478.

UCI had nine of its 10 hits against Saint Mary’s starter Mark Anderson, who did not walk a batter and struck out two in 7 2/3 innings.

“I’m disappointed we didn’t hit better and do more at the plate,” Gillespie said. “I didn’t think we faced Nolan Ryan, but I guess in fairness, we’ve got to say [Anderson] did a great job.”

Reyes made two errors and now has five errors in the last five games.

Sophomore D.J. Crumlich, who had been sharing time at short with Reyes, was hit in the head with a ball at practice Wednesday and is out indefinitely with a concussion, Gillespie said.

Gillespie also said junior pitcher Crosby Slaught, sidelined all season with a sore elbow, missed his first throwing session scheduled Wednesday, when he was bitten the night before by an insect, which caused his forearm to swell.

Slaught isn’t the only UCI pitcher to know what it’s like to get bitten.

UCI returns to action Tuesday at home against the University of San Diego at 6 p.m.

Nonconference

Saint Mary’s 4, UC Irvine 2

SCORE BY INNINGS

Anderson, Chavez (8), Schmarzo (10) and Mulligan; Pettis, Lines (9), Summers (9) and Larson. W – Chavez, 1-0. L – Summers, 1-2. Sv – Schmarzo (1). 2B – Madigan (UCI) 2, Fisher (UCI), Mulligan (SM), O’Brien (SM). HR – Channing (SM).