LOS ANGELES – Stanford scored three in the top of the second, and held a 3-0 lead into the sixth, but UCLA put up four runs in the sixth and four more in the eighth to earn an 8-3 victory on Friday night from Jackie Robinson Stadium.
The victory clinched a series win for the Bruins (18-33, 8-21 Pac-12) and extended Stanford's (20-31, 11-18 Pac-12) losing streak to nine games – the longest for the Cardinal since at least 1959.
After both teams went down 1-2-3 in the first, Stanford pushed across three runs on four hits in the second. Malcolm Moore walked and Charlie Saum singled, setting the table for freshman Brady Reynolds to get the scoring started with an RBI-single. Temo Becerra added an RBI-single of his own before sophomore Cort MacDonald capped the inning with a run-scoring ground ball to chase home Reynolds.
Sophomore Nick Dugan turned in arguably his best outing of the season for the Cardinal, allowing three runs on five hits and one walk while striking out four over 5 2/3 innings. Dugan allowed a pair of two-out hits, including an RBI-single to Duce Gourson, in the sixth inning before handing the ball over to reliever Trevor Moore. Moore allowed both of his inherited runners to score, and ultimately saw one of his own come across, as UCLA jumped on top 4-3.
Moore and the Cardinal had an opportunity to hold the line at 3-1 in that sixth inning as the right-hander induced a ground ball to Owen Cobb at second base that was flipped to second, but not in time to record the out. With the bases now loaded, Moore was called for a balk before Dean West punched a two-RBI single through the right side.
Moore was saddled with the loss and dropped to 3-1 on the season after being charged with five runs on seven hits and a walk over two innings.
Two-out hitting proved to be a crucial point of separation on Friday night, as UCLA batted 11-for-18 (.611) with two outs compared to Stanford's 0-for-9. All eight of the Bruin runs came with two outs, including RBI-singles from West and Cody Schrier to accompany a two-RBI double from Phoenix Call in a four-run eighth.
Sophomore right-hander Michael Barnett was credited with the victory after settling in following a three-run first inning for the Cardinal. Barnett did not allow another run over his final six innings, finishing with five strikeouts over seven frames to move to 5-3 on the year.
Cal Randall earned his first save of the year out of the bullpen for UCLA, tossing two scoreless innings with three strikeouts.
Junior Charlie Saum, who finished 1-for-3 with a run scored as Stanford's designated hitter, recorded the final out of the eighth on the mound for the Cardinal, striking out the only batter he faced.
Stanford, which will enter the Pac-12 Tournament as the No. 8 seed, will look to finish the regular season with a victory on Saturday at UCLA. First pitch is scheduled for 12:05 p.m.