SANTA CLARA, Calif. – Santa Clara (17-30) lost the second game of a three-game series to San Diego 9-8. Starter Chris Mendoza pitched 4.1 innings, allowing six earned runs on 10 hits in a no-decision. J.R. Graham (3-4) picked up the loss for the Broncos, while James Pazos picked up the win for the second consecutive day. Offensively, the Broncos' day was highlighted by a five-run fifth inning including two RBIs from both Blake Leyva and Lucas Herbst
San Diego took an early lead in the first inning, scoring three runs on four hits including a two-RBI double by Bryan Haar.
The Toreros added to their lead in the second inning, scoring on a Kris Bryant RBI single.
In the bottom of the second, the Broncos exploded for a five-run two-out rally. After Patrick Terry singled and Curtis Wagner reached on catcher's interference, San Diego starter Chris Jensen recorded two-straight outs. However, Stephen Takahashi reached on an error to load the bases. Blake Leyva hit a two-RBI blooper to shallow-center that dropped between the shortstop and center fielder. Matt Ozanne walked to load the bases for the second time in the inning. A wild pitch scored Takahashi from third and Justin Viele reached on balls. Lucas Herbst hit a two-RBI single to score the fourth and fifth runs of the inning.
San Diego took the lead in the top of the fourth. The Toreros tied the game in the fourth on a RBI double by Kris Bryant. Zack Komentani scored Bryant with a RBI single, but was thrown out trying to advance to second on the play.
In the top of the fifth, Scott Schauer hit a RBI single to extend the San Diego lead to 7-5. With one out, Menodoza was lifted in favor of Max Deering. Deering was helped out by Drew Ozanne who made a phenomenal play. Ozanne snagged a ball lined at him and dove toward third base to record an unassisted double play.
The Broncos narrowed the lead on a wild play in the bottom of sixth. With runners on first and second, Blake Leyva squared around to bunt and reached on an error. Looney scored on the error and Takahashi was tagged out trying to advance to third. After six innings, Santa Clara trailed 7-6.
The Broncos tied the game in the home half of the eighth. Leyva reached on an error and Matt Ozanne walked to put runners on first and second. Both runners advanced on a passed ball, followed by a RBI groundout by Viele.
In the top of the ninth, Zack Komentani hit two-run homer to put the Toreros up, 9-7.
In the bottom of the inning, the Broncos rallied. Kyle DeMerritt and Drew Ozanne singled to start the inning. After a quick out, Takahashi reached on an error that scored DeMerritt. Leyva hit into a fielder's choice to put runners on the corners with two outs. The Broncos were unable to muster another run and fell 9-8.
The Broncos will play their final home game tomorrow, May 21 at 1 p.m. again.
Game Notes: The first pitch was thrown at 1:02…San Diego starter Chris Jensen pitched 2.2 innings allowing five unearned runs on three hits…in the fourth inning Kevin Muno bunted, Drew Ozanne charged from third to make a bare-handed throw to down Muno… Max Deering picked off a runner, 1-3-4, in the top of the sixth…Stephen Takahashi made an over-the-shoulder grab to record the first out in the seventh…Wagner left the game in the seventh after fouling a bunt attempt off his finger…Mark O'Brien was ejected in the seventh…After being a late scratch in the lineup, Kyle DeMerritt pinch-hit for the injured Wagner…DeMerritt stayed in the game at first base, his first career appearance at first…Max Deering pitched 3.2 innings, allowing four hits and a walk…J.R. Graham pitched to two batters, but did not record an out…Mike Couch recorded all three outs in the ninth inning.
