BYU: GAME 2

Miami clinches the series as Daniel Cuvet puts on another showcase performance at the plate assuring the 6-4 win. Daniel Cuvet’s multi-HR performance in the 4th and 5th innings was all the Canes needed to secure their first series win since NC back in mid-March. Daniel accounted for Miami’s 5 of their 6 runs in securing the win as the rest of the team except for Carlos Perez struggled at the plate. Carlos had a pair of hits including the team’s only double. If not for the long ball, this would be a different story as the bats remained silent failing to provide the key hit with RISP. Thanks to Daniel’s Grand slam in the 5th gave all the insurance The Canes would need. The offense would put runs on the board and the pitching would take them away. With the 5-run cushion, compliments of Daniel, the Cougars chiseled away with 3 unanswered runs for the next two innings, but the relief work of Chris Diaz and Myles Caba finally shut the door allowing just one hit. The lack of hitting and fielding were areas of concern making it so much harder to bring this game to a finish. A win is a win which is the bottom line. 

Changes to the lineup had Carlos Perez moving from first to home and JD Urso from short to first. DHing tonight Jake Kulikowski.

Neither team was unable to provide any runs through the first three innings. Miami didn’t see their first base runner until the third inning with JD Urso walking with two outs. It wasn’t until the 4th that the fans had something to cheer about with the Cane’s first hit coming with one out. Daniel with an 0-1 count drives the ball to center with one of the longest HR of the season traveling 456′. The Canes finally broke through starter Bryce Robison after retiring 10 of the 11 batters before confronting Mr. Cuvet. With one hit/run on the board, Dorian followed with a single and stole second after Lucas struck out. Jake Kulikowski’s single down the RF line brought in the second run. It took Daniel to give the wake-up call to energize the bench and finally get the bats in motion. End of two, Miami led 2-0.

As quickly as the offense put runs on the board, Rafe and the defense took it away. Crew McChesney leading off the 5th hits a deep grounder to short which Antonia should have held onto. Instead, he throws to first, way off target, advancing Crew to second as the ball goes into the Cane’s dugout. Rafe hits the next batter and Crew steals third putting runners on the corners. Crew completes the circuit with a WP to bring the Cougars within one.

Miami responds in the bottom half of the inning with JD walking to lead off. Jacoby lays down a bunt and Robison elects to go to second to get the lead but JD beats out the throw which was upheld after review. Edgardo walks to load the bases bringing to the plate Daniel who homer the previous inning. He takes the count to 1-1 before delivering his second homer of the night; being the Grand Salami over the scoreboard (394′) and upping the Cane’s lead 6-1.

Again the offense giveth and the pitching taketh away. Cougars respond in the 6th leading off with a double followed by a single putting runners on the corners. Like what happened in the 5th with their initial run, a WP gives them their second run. Rafe would complete the inning throwing 105 pitches but did his job getting us to the 6th striking out 9 but gave up 6 hits walking 2 and hitting two.

JD brought in Brandon Olivera in relief to pitch the 7th. His stay on the hill was short-lived after walking 3 to load the bases just another case of the BP not getting the job done. Chris Diaz a quick turnaround from last night brought in to shut things down. Chris does his job but not the defense. Grounder to Dorian setting up the DP. The relay from Jimenez to Urso gets past Urso(E3), Diaz retrieves the ball and throws out the runner at second but not before two runs cross the plate. The 5 run lead dwindled to two and it looked like we were heading down that same old road on not being able to hold onto the lead.

Time running out for the Cougars. They opened the 8th with a single then a FO to right. The defensive play of the game followed with Jacoby making one of his patented diving catches in left-center which if not made could have brought the runner from first in to score. That would be the last challenge brought on by the Cougars. Myles Caba was brought in to relieve Diaz to finish the 8 with a K

In the 8th, the Canes showed resiliency hitting-wise with a lead-off double by Carlos. Two strikeouts follow (Jimenez,Urso) but two walks afterward by Jacoby and Edgardo loaded the bases once again with Daniel coming to bat. Daniel leads the team with 17 HRs but also leads with 50 strikeouts. Make that 51 leaving three stranded.

JD kept Myles in to pitch the 9th and did so fashionably striking out two of the three batters faced earning his first save.

Offensively, if not for Daniel tonight we might very well be looking at a rubber match tomorrow. Daniel’s two HRs provided 5 of the 6 runs which was enough to make the difference single-handedly. His 3 hits were almost half of what the team produced providing another lackluster performance from the rest. Carlos provided two of the three remaining hits with Jake and Dorian getting the other two hits. It was not a great showing and worse yet not even see their first base runner until the third inning with 2 outs (walk). Overall batted .233, leaving 9 on bases, striking out 7 times, and just 2-9 with RISP.

Defensively, two errors cost two runs. Both errors from our 2 SSs. JD isn’t our regular first baseman but is learning. Awaiting Jason’s return from his elbow injury. Carlos has been doing a commendable job at first and is my first choice over JD. According to sources Jason is ready but JD is probably holding him back to rest him for the upcoming ACC series with VT. Antonio at short has a strong arm, but it occasionally gets away like tonight.

Tomorrow, looking for the team’s first sweep of the season. Herick gets the starting call with the first pitch at High Noon.