May 24, 2008

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BERKELEY, Calif. - The UCLA baseball team registered its second shutout at No. 15 California in as many days, posting a 7-0 victory Saturday afternoon at Evans Diamond. Bruin right-hander Charles Brewer (8-4) earned his team-leading eighth win, scattering just three hits while striking out four in 5.2 scoreless innings.

UCLA (31-24, 13-10 Pac-10) handed California (32-19-2, 11-12 Pac-10) its first home series loss of the season, registering back-to-back shutouts for the first time in program history since 1978. Friday afternoon, left-hander Tim Murphy hurled a complete-game shutout as UCLA won the series opener, 8-0.

The Bruins, who have won each of their last five Pac-10 contests, took advantage of 10 walks and three hit-by-pitches issued by the host Golden Bears. Shortstop Brandon Crawford led UCLA's offensive charge, going 3-for-4 with one double, three RBI and two runs. Catcher Ryan Babineau was 2-for-4 with two RBI, and second baseman Alden Carrithers went 2-for-4 with two runs. Center fielder Blair Dunlap went 2-for-5, and designated hitter Cody Decker reached base safely in three of six plate appearances.

UCLA scored four two-out runs in the top of the first, chasing starting pitcher Craig Bennigson (4-4) in the opening frame. Bennigson absorbed the loss, allowing four runs and three hits, issuing two walks and two hit-by-pitches in 0.2 innings.

In the top of the first, Crawford lined an RBI-single, bringing home third baseman Jermaine Curtis. The Bruins took advantage of two hit-by-pitches and two walks. After Decker was plunked on the foot, left fielder Mickey Weisser was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, scoring Carrithers. Two ensuing four-pitch walks plated Crawford and Decker to give UCLA a 4-0 cushion.

The Bruins added one run in each of the fourth, sixth and eighth innings. Crawford drew a bases-loaded walk in the fourth inning, allowing third baseman Jermaine Curtis to score. Two frames later, Crawford singled home Carrithers from second base, as UCLA claimed a 6-0 advantage. In the eighth inning, Crawford reached on a one-out double and scored on a single to right field by Babineau.

UCLA has won 31 games, the program's highest total in regular-season action since 2006, when the Bruins posted a 32-23 record prior to the NCAA Regional in Malibu, Calif.

The Bruins conclude their regular season at No. 15 California on Sunday at 1 p.m. The final regular-season contest will be broadcast live online, free of charge, at uclabruins.com.

Game Notes: Saturday's victory marked the 200th win of John Savage's head coaching career (88 wins at UC Irvine, 112 wins at UCLA)...Casey Haerther extended his Pac-10 hitting streak to 17 games with his team-leading 22nd double in the top of the sixth inning...Brandon Crawford registered his seventh game with three hits or more this season (five three-hit efforts, two four-hit games)...UCLA became the first team to hurl back-to-back shutouts against California since North Carolina accomplished the feat in 2004 (March 11-12) in Chapel Hill, N.C...the Bruins logged their fifth shutout of the season, the most by UCLA since totaling five shutouts in 1992.