No. 2 Texas holds off Kentucky 5-4 in Sunday’s rubber match

After holding on for an intense 5-4 win in 15 innings on Saturday, Kentucky was unable to wrap up the series victory over No. 2 Texas on Sunday. The Longhorns held off Kentucky 5-4 in the rubber match to earn their first ever series victory over the ‘Cats. With the loss, Nick Mingione’s team falls to 19-14 (6-9) on the season.

It was another frustrating game for the Kentucky offense when it came to executing with runners on base, as it was just 1-8 with runners in scoring position (nine runners stranded on base). Over the three-game series, Kentucky was 5-35 (.143) at the plate with runners in scoring position.

Kentucky left-hander Ben Cleaver made his ninth start of the season, where he was dinged for five and four earned runs over five innings of work. Cleaver’s four earned runs (one of which scored after he was pulled) were his most allowed in an SEC game this season.

Kentucky base running miscues lead to early Texas lead

Two common themes for Kentucky this season have been base running miscues and failing to execute with runners in scoring position. Both of these bit the ‘Cats early once again on Sunday in the bottom of the first inning.

With runners on the corners following a Tyler Bell drawn walk and a Patrick Herrera single, Devin Burkes was brought to the plate with just one out in the frame. Herrera however attempted to pull the delayed steal on Texas right-hander Ruger Riojas and was thrown out at second, taking a runner off the bags and recording the second out of the inning.

Burkes would eventually strike out, stranding Bell 90 feet away on third base. In Kentucky’s 15-inning marathon win on Saturday, the ‘Cats were just 3-16 with runners in scoring position and stranded 11 runners on base.

After being held to just four runs in those 15 innings on Saturday, the Texas offense finally broke through in the top of the third inning. Kentucky left-hander Ben Cleaver put runners on first and second via a hit by pitch and an intentional walk, but recorded two outs. Texas shortstop Jalin Flores, who hit a two-run home run on Saturday, however drove home the first run of the game with an RBI-single.

The Longhorns weren’t done scoring yet however, as center fielder Will Gasparino belted a two-run double off the center field fence to give his team an early 3-0 advantage.

Kyuss Gargett slugs first home run of season

Kentucky seemed poise to scratch across its first run of the game once again in the bottom of the third, but the same problems arose once again.

A slumping Cole Hage led off the inning with a walk, putting one on with no outs for the ‘Cats. Ethan Hindle followed him with soft hit line-drive to Texas second baseman Ethan Mendoza, which died at his feet and may have been able to move Hage over from first. Hage however hesitated, which allowed Hindle to be thrown out at first and get himself into a pickle.

Luke Lawrence and Tyler Bell notched back-to-back two-out singles, which would have scored Hage easily if he reached third. Patrick Herrera however grounded out to third base, ending the inning and stranding two more runners on base.

The ‘Cats finally broke through in the bottom of the fourth however, courtesy of DH Kyuss Gargett. Gargett, who has started in just four games this season (two consecutive), made his case to stay in the everyday lineup with a solo home run to left field. It was Gargett’s first of the season and second of his career.

Devin Burkes makes #SCTop10 caliber play

Texas threatened to extend its lead in the top of the fifth inning, as second baseman Ethan Mendoza singled and catcher Rylan Galvan doubled to put runners on second and third with just one out for the Longhorns.

This brought up shortstop Jalin Flores, who has been a thorn in Kentucky’s side all weekend long. On an 0-2 count, Flores seemingly kept his at-bat alive with a pop-up up into foul territory over by the Texas dugout. Kentucky catcher Devin Burkes however made an extremely athletic sliding grab into the side of the dugout, and threw out a tagging Mendoza at home to keep the Longhorns scoreless.

Texas escapes Lexington with series win

Texas tacked on one more insurance run to its lead in the top of the sixth via a Tommy Farmer IV RBI sac-fly, making it a 4-1 game.

That run would end up being important, as Kentucky would’ve tied the game in the bottom of the seventh had it not been scored. Luke Lawrence and Tyler Bell have emerged as an extremely reliable 1-2 punch at the top of the Wildcat lineup, as they knocked back-to-back singles again and were moved to second and third with two outs.

Devin Burkes was once again brought up in a position with two runners in scoring position, a spot that he has struggled in lately. He however delivered here, as he laced a two-run double down the right field line to pull the ‘Cats within one run.

The Longhorns however stretched their lead back to two in the top of the eighth inning, as Will Gasparino and Kimble Schuessler knocked back-to-back doubles to make it a 5-3 game. Kentucky was able to respond with a run via a Patrick Herrera RBI sac-fly in the ninth, but Devin Burkes grounded into a game-ending double play to end the game.

With the loss in Sunday’s rubber match, Kentucky has won just one of its first five SEC series (all losses have been against top-25 teams) but have yet to be swept. Last season, the ‘Cats won their first five conference series (four sweeps vs. No. 25 Georgia, No. 22 Ole Miss, No. 11 Alabama and Auburn) before dropping two of three to No. 2 Tennessee at home.

What’s next for Kentucky?

Following Kentucky’s series loss to No. 2 Texas, the ‘Cats will be back in action at Kentucky Proud Park on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. EST against Miami (OH).

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