SEATTLE – No. 3 Stanford was shut out for just the third time this season in a 7-0 loss to Washington on Thursday night at Husky Ballpark.
"We got off to a really rough start, and that's all Washington really needed tonight," said Clarke and Elizabeth Nelson Director of Baseball David Esquer. "We had our opportunities, and maybe a couple breaks didn't go our way, but we have been in this situation before and we know what we need to do to come back stronger over these next two games."
Tim Tawa finished with three hits, including a double, for the Cardinal (41-9 overall, 21-7 Pac-12), which also got a two-hit night from Kyle Stowers. Austin Weiermiller, who relieved starter Erik Miller (L, 4-3) after 0.2 innings, set career-highs in pitches (55) and innings pitched (4.2) to keep it close, but Stanford failed to capitalize on its opportunities throughout.
The Huskies (29-22, 19-9) jumped on Stanford in the home half of the first inning, with Levi Jordan's home run giving Washington a 3-0 lead. Washington was threatening with two on and two out in the second, but Christian Robinson made a spectacular play to rob a home run over the center-field wall and keep it close.
Just your routine "F-8". @christianrobinson__ ??: Pac-12 Networks @Sportscenter #GoStanford
A post shared by Stanford Baseball?? (@stanfordbsb) on May 24, 2018 at 7:50pm PDT
Joe Wainhouse's solo shot in the third made it 4-0, and the Cardinal had several opportunities to cut into the lead before Washington tacked on three more in the eighth. Stanford stranded a pair in the sixth, and a diving play at second base in the eighth prevented the Cardinal from plating two runs.
Miller lasted 0.2 innings, allowing the two walks and two hits, including the home run. Weiermiller relived him, tossing 4.2 innings in relief. Weiermiller surrendered one run on three hits before making way for Will Matthiessen, who struck out three across 1.2 scoreless frames.
"Credit our bullpen for keeping it close for a while," added Esquer. "Weiermiller did a nice job in relief with Miller struggling, keeping us in it for so long."
No. 3 Stanford returns to Husky Ballpark tomorrow night at 7 p.m. PT for Game 2 at Washington. The Cardinal can clinch the Pac-12 Conference Championship with one win over the next two games. The contest will air on Pac-12 Networks with live statistics available at GoStanford.com.
Cardinal Notes
- Stanford sits 1.5 games ahead of Oregon State atop the Pac-12 standings with two games to play – Washington sits 2.0 games behind the Cardinal.
- Weiermiller's ERA dipped to 2.75 after setting career highs in innings pitched (4.2) and pitches (55).
- Lucas Knowles earned the win after 5.2 shutout innings for the Huskies.
- Tonight was Tawa's fifth three-hit game of the season.
- Zach Grech relieved Matthiessen, allowing three runs in the eighth, two of which were earned.