May 5, 2000
LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- California shortstop Jason Williams knocked in seven runs on three hits including a two-run home run and an eighth inning grand slam, which capped a six-run rally, as the Golden Bears defeated the UCLA baseball team 13-7 in the first game of a three-game Pac-10 series at Jackie Robinson Stadium Friday evening.
The Bruins have lost two straight and fall to 28-22 overall and 11-5 in the Pac-10, while Cal improves to 25-25 overall and 11-11 in league action.
With the score tied 7-7 going into the top of the eighth after UCLA held as much as a 6-2 lead after five innings, Cal unleashed six runs (only one of which was earned) off Bruin reliever Ryan Carter (2-1) to steal the victory. The Golden Bears began the rally by taking the lead on a one-out RBI single by catcher Mike Tonis. After a another single by third baseman Xavier Nady, first baseman Clint Hoover hit a grounder to UCLA shortstop Josh Canales who bobbled the ball and failed to get the runner at second which loaded the bases.
Carter then struck out designated hitter John Baker which should have been the third out of the inning, and then walked right fielder Rob Meyer to force over a run giving the Bears a 9-7 lead. The stage was then set for Williams, as he capped the come-back with a grand slam over the center field fence, his second homer of the game. It was the second straight game the Bruin pitching staff has given up a grand slam.
Cal right-hander David Cash (8-4) picked up the victory, pitching 2.2 innings in relief, allowing one run on one hit while striking out three.
UCLA junior right-fielder Matt Pearl extended his career-high hitting streak to 12 games, going 2-for-4. Junior left-fielder Bill Scott was 3-for-5 with a run and an RBI, while junior catcher Forrest Johnson was 2-for-4 with three RBI including a two-run home run. Rounding out Bruins with multiple hits was sophomore third baseman Randall Shelley going 2-for-4.
The Bruins took a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning on RBI singles by Scott and Johnson, but Cal came back to tie 2-2 on a two-run single by center fielder Brad Smith in the top of the second. Then a sacrifice fly to left by UCLA junior second baseman Chase Utley gave the Bruins a 3-2 lead in the bottom of the second.
UCLA looked to be in good shape as Johnson hit his 16th home run of the season, a two-run shot to left, giving the Bruins a 5-2 advantage after three innings. And at the end of five and half innings, UCLA starting pitcher Rob Henkel had struck out nine batters, including Baker with the bases loaded in the top of the fifth.
Canales gave the Bruins a four-run lead with a run-scoring single in the bottom of the fifth, but Utley grounded into a double play with the bases loaded to end the inning. Cal then slowly but surely chipped away at UCLA's lead, scoring three runs in the sixth and two in the seventh, taking a 7-6 lead on an RBI single by the Bruin-killer Williams.
UCLA tied the score 7-7 in the bottom of the seventh when junior first baseman Garrett Atkins grounded into a fielder's choice, scoring Canales from third.
Cal starter Trevor Hutchinson went the first 4.1 innings, allowing six runs on 10 hits, while Bruin starter Rob Henkel went 5.2 innings, allowing five runs on just three hits.
The Bruins will look to climb back into the win column tomorrow as these two teams face off in the second game of the series with the first pitch scheduled for 1 p.m. UCLA's Josh Karp and Cal's Jon Shirley are the probable starting pitchers.
California 020 003 260 13 9 1 UCLA 212 010 100 7 12 3WP - David Cash (8-2). LP - Ryan Carter (2-1). Save - None 2B - Brad Smith. HR - Jason Williams 2 (10), Forrest Johnson (16). SH - Tommy Callen. SF - Tommy Callen, Chase Utley. Start: 6:06 p.m. Time: 3:44 Attendance: 435