Arizona baseball drew its largest crowd at Hi Corbett Field since opening weekend, but failed to give the fans something to cheer about.
In front of 3,254 people, the Wildcats (11-17, 1-6 Pac-12 Conference) fell 11-2 to No. 7 Oregon State (20-5, 5-2) on shaky pitching and an offense that was non-existent until the game was out of reach. The UA’s losing streak on the diamond was extended to eight games, the longest of head coach Andy Lopez’s 13-year Tucson tenure.
“We really have to find some pride in ourselves,” said sophomore shortstop Kevin Newman. “Right now we’re pretty much an embarrassment to the university, so something has to change.”
At the dish, the Wildcats totaled only six hits in 30 at-bats with five strikeouts and stranded four runners on base. They failed to score until the bottom of the ninth inning, when Newman and outfielder Joseph Maggi crossed the plate.
Oregon State southpaw ace Ben Wetzler (5-0) tossed a 7.1 inning shutout gem, allowing just the trio of hits, and he struck out six as well. Now in 38.0 total frames of work, Wetzler has surrendered just two earned runs, good for an earned run average of 0.47.
Righty James Farris (4-2) had one of his worst starts of the season for Arizona, allowing seven earned runs on a season-high 13 hits and two walks over 7.1 innings. It would be his second straight outing where he allowed that many runs.
“Well, [Farris] wasn’t horrible,” Lopez said. “When you’re facing a guy like [Wetzler], you have to match that up. When he throws a zero, you have to paint a zero. … James isn’t done; he’s done a good job.”
Cody Moffett (1-1), Tyler Parmenter (0-2), Nathan Bannister (0-0) and Tyler Crawford (1-3) followed Farris. Only the left-handed Crawford lasted longer than a third of an inning.
After a rough outing against ASU in Tempe, Ariz., on Wednesday, where he let in seven runs on four hits an a walk, the righty Parmenter struggled again. Friday, he was yanked before even recording an out, allowing an earned run on a pair of hits and as many walks.
Lopez said that because he’s giving up too many hits, it’s unlikely Parmenter will continue to be used in his present role. Parmenter currently leads all UA pitchers in appearances with 18.
Because the game was on the Pac-12 Networks, Lopez was interviewed by the broadcasters in the top of the fourth. When asked about it, he said it didn’t affect his coaching or the way the team played.
“If I were pitching or hitting it would matter, but I’m just sitting over here scratching my head,” Lopez said. “I probably should do more of them; I’ve been doing a better job at those than coaching.”
Saturday, the Wildcats will take on the Beavers again in their home ballpark at 4 p.m. Right-hander Cody Hamlin (3-2) will toe the rubber for Arizona, while Andrew Moore (2-1) will get the ball for Oregon State.
—Follow Joey Putrelo @JoeyPutrelo
