April 29, 2009
Complete Release and Box Score in PDF Format
STANFORD, Calif. - Senior first baseman Brent Milleville belted a game-tying grand slam as part of Stanford's six-run eighth inning, helping the host Cardinal (20-18) rally from a 4-0 deficit to defeat Sacramento State (23-20) by the score of 6-4 tonight at Klein Field at Sunken Diamond. Adam Gaylord delivered a tie-breaking, RBI-double and Jake Schlander added a run-scoring hit as Stanford won its ninth consecutive midweek game - the club's longest such run since an identical nine-game, non-conference winning streak March 23-April 23, 2004.
Six Sacramento State pitchers combined to blank Stanford on three hits - two by Kellen Killsgaard - through the first seven innings, and the Hornets carried a 4-0 lead into the bottom of the eighth. However, nine of the first 10 hitters reached safely as the Cardinal erupted for a six-run frame. Colin Walsh - who has reached base safely in 21 consecutive games - opened the inning with a single off Tommy Elrod. After Joey August and Toby Gerhart each drew walks to load the bases with nobody out, Sacramento State turned to right-hander Jeff Roth. The Hornets' closer struck out the first batter he faced and jumped ahead of Milleville 1-2, but Stanford's slugger sent the next pitch well over the left field wall for his ninth home run of the year and third career grand slam.
After Milleville's electrifying bolt tied the game at 4-4, Zach Jones reignited the Cardinal rally with a single for his second hit of the game. Jones then swiped his second base of the contest (and club-best 14th on the year), and moved to third on a throwing error by the Sacramento State catcher. Jonathan Kaskow walked to put runners on the corners with one out and set the stage for Gaylord, who - two days after setting his career high with four RBI - hammered a run-scoring double just inside the bag at third to put Stanford on top, 5-4. Schlander then followed with an infield single off Roth (2-1) that plated pinch-runner Jeff Whitlow for a 6-4 lead.
Stanford closer Drew Storen (4-1), who came on to face the final two batters of the eighth, earned the win after retiring the Hornets in order in the ninth.
The Cardinal also received a combined 5.0-innings of three-hit, shutout relief from Brandt Walker (1.0ip), Chris Reed (1.0ip), Danny Sandbrink (2.0ip) and Alex Pracher (1.0ip.)
After going 5-2 on its season-long, seven-game homestand, Stanford will hit the road for a crucial, three-game Pac-10 series at Washington State. Friday's game from Pullman, WA is set for 5:30 p.m. PT, while Saturday's contest will start at 1:00 p.m. and Sunday's series finale will start at 12:00 p.m.