Five Errors Doom Crimson Tide, 6-3
4/21/2007 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
AUBURN, Ala. -- The University of Alabama baseball team committed a season-high five errors in a 6-3 loss to Auburn at Plainsman Park on Saturday afternoon, as the Tigers captured their first series win over the Crimson Tide since 2004.
The Crimson Tide self destructed in the bottom of the seventh inning as Auburn took advantage of three errors, one passed ball and a walk to score four runs en route to its second straight win in the series.
Sophomore second baseman Jeff Texada had two errors in the decisive inning, while junior reliever Josh Copeland and junior first baseman Matt Bentley had one error each on two separate botched pickoff attempts. Sophomore catcher Ryan Rhoden was also charged with a passed ball as the Tide was trying to intentionally walk
"In the game of baseball when two teams are competitive and fairly similar, one inning can decide the game,"
Philip Skinner started the inning with an infield hit and took second when Texada's throw to first base got past Bentley, hit the dugout railing and caromed all the way to home plate. Center fielder Bruce Edwards then moved Skinner to third base with a sacrifice bunt.
Luke Greinke then slapped a single to center to knock in Stringer and tie the game at 3-3. It was Greinke's third RBI of the game and sixth of the series. Catcher Josh Donaldson greeted Copeland with a base hit to left to put runners on the corners with one out.
Greinke scored the go-ahead run on Rhoden's passed ball as the Crimson Tide was trying to intentionally walk Bianucci and set up an inning-ending double play. Then with runners at first and second, Joseph Sanders hit a ground ball to Texada, who turned an apparent inning-ending double play into an error to load the bases.
"We've talked to our guys about moving on to the next pitch," Wells said. "We made the first error then put our heads down and made two more. Our inability to score on offense is now affecting the other parts of our game."
Dustin Spruill then drilled a two-run single to right to score Donaldson and Bianucci to give the Tigers a 6-3 lead.
Auburn reliever Chris Dennis (2-3) benefited from the seventh inning to earn his second win of the year. He retired all seven batters he faced and got a double play in the sixth inning to keep hold the Tide to a one-run lead.
Senior right-hander Bernard Robert (4-5) was the victim of the seventh inning in taking the loss. He allowed four runs and five hits in 6 1/3 innings. He struck out six, walked five and hit one batter.
Auburn (27-15, 6-11 SEC) had tied the game in the bottom of the fifth when Stringer and Edwards drew consecutive two-out walks and Greinke followed with a base hit to left to score Stringer and tie the game at 2-2.
The Tigers scored an unearned run in the bottom of the first inning to take a 1-0 lead. Edwards was hit by a pitch with a two-strike count and then went to third base on Robert's throwing error on a pick off attempt at first base. Greinke's sacrifice fly to center field easily scored Edwards from third to give the Tigers the lead.
The Crimson Tide grabbed a 2-1 lead with back-to-back two-out hits in the third inning.
Texada and Matthes had two hits and one RBI each for
The Crimson Tide looks to avoid the sweep against the Tigers with a 1:36 p.m. (CDT) Sunday afternoon. The game will be televised by CSS Sports.
GAME NOTES:
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*Senior RHP Bernard Robert (
*Junior RHP Josh Copeland (Palmetto,
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