BASEBALL: Beavs come up short

THE NO. 23 RANKED Oregon State Beavs had the tying run on base in both the eighth and ninth innings but could not push him across in a 3-2 loss to No. 9 Oregon Tuesday night at PK Park.

Oregon State (30-16) scored two runs in the eighth after finding itself down 3-0 entering the frame. Danny Hayes drove in the inning’s first run on a sacrifice fly, then Ryan Barnes drove in Jake Rodriguez with a sharp single to center. Ryan Dettman, pinch running for Barnes, stole second with two outs, but was left at second when Tyler Smith lined out to left.

Ryan Dunn and Kavin Keyes both reached on walks in the ninth but Oregon closer Jimmy Sherfy struck out the side to close out the game and pick up his 13th save of the season.

Oregon (35-14 overall) scored all three of its runs in the first. Ryon Healy tripled with two outs and scored Brett Thomas doubled off the glove of a sprawled Keyes. Two batters later, Ryan Hambright singled to second and two runs scored on the play.

Taylor Starr made his fourth start of the season – and 15th appearance – going 2 2/3 innings before being replaced by Scott Schultz in the third. Starr was touched for three runs and five hits while walking two and striking out three. He took the loss to fall to 4-2 this season.

Five Oregon State relievers – consisting of Schultz, Dylan Davis, Matt Boyd, Cole Brocker and Tony Bryant – combined to limit the Ducks to one hit and three walks over the last 5 1/3 innings.

Barnes was the lone Beaver with two hits while Healy and Hambright each had two for Oregon.

Oregon State hits the road this weekend for a three-game series at Utah. All three games, which start Friday, are slated to get underway at 11 a.m. PT.