The No. 14 Miami Hurricanes were on the road in the ACC for the second straight weekend, taking two out of three in a tight series at Maryland.
On Friday night the Hurricanes (23-7, 8-1) were aided by four Maryland errors as Miami extended its winning streak to 16 straight games with a 10-2 victory. Sophomore Carlos Gutierrez (7-1) picking up his ACC-leading seventh victory of the season while pitching seven innings, giving up one earned run, striking out four and only issuing one walk.
Junior catcher Eddy Rodriguez went 3-for-4 and hit his team-leading sixth home run of the season with a three-run blast. Rodriguez’s home run was part of a four-run top of the first inning for Miami, which helped the Hurricanes take a 4-2 lead after two.
The Hurricanes scored eight unearned runs in the contest. Freshman Yonder Alonso added a sacrifice fly RBI for his team leading 38th RBI of the season. Tommy Giles and Walter Diaz each went 2-for-4 in the win.
Saturday marked a whole different ballgame for the Hurricanes. As Miami benefited from Maryland errors on Friday night, it was the Terps who were able to capitalize on five Miami miscues on Saturday, including three by shortstop Walter Diaz.
Miami dropped its first game in over a month 5-4. The Hurricanes came into the series with the highest fielding percentage in the ACC, but three of Maryland’s five runs came off the season-high five errors, including two runs on two errors in the eighth when the Terps took the lead.
Miami closer Chris Perez came into the game in the bottom of the eighth with the Hurricanes leading 4-3. After a leadoff walk, Perez fielded a sacrifice bunt, but his throw went off Weeks’ glove at first base and into right field, allowing the runner to score from first to tie the game.
A wild pitch and infield single put runners on the corners before Perez struck out the next batter for the first out. Perez then induced what looked like an inning ending double play, but Diaz couldn’t handle the throw and the go-ahead run came in to score.
Miami starter Manny Miguelez lasted six innings and received the no-decision after giving up seven hits and two earned runs while striking out six batters and walking one.
Danny Valencia paced the Hurricanes at the plate with a 3-for-4 night and an RBI. Eddy Rodriguez went 1-for-2 while driving in the only other Hurricane RBI.
Scott Maine (5-0) stole the show on Sunday, throwing his second consecutive eight-inning, two-hit gem in a 3-1 Hurricanes victory. Jon Jay paced the offense, going 2-for-3 with a double, two runs and two stolen bases. Weeks increased his hitting streak to 16 games, matching the UM freshman record set by Jim Maler in 1977.
Douglas C. Kroll can be contacted at d.kroll@umiami.edu.