victory over SJSU
Baseball has several unwritten rules and truths. One of the more well-known truths came into fruition in San Diego State’s 6-2 victory over San Jose State on Sunday at Municipal Stadium in San Jose.
Seldom-used SDSU third baseman Chris Yerke proved again: A player always comes back to haunt his former team.
Yerke, a member of the 1995 SJSU baseball team, hit a grand slam against the Spartans in the top of the eighth inning to break a close game wide open.
“Playing against his former team probably lifted him,” Aztecs assistant coach Jim Warner said. “I’m sure it was sweet revenge.”
Yerke, playing for the injured Alex Pelaez, made the most of his seventh game of the season, going 2 for 4 with a season-high four RBIs. He had just two RBIs coming into the game.
“Every time we’ve asked him to come in, he’s gotten the job done,” Warner said. “He’s had some big hits for us this year, and this one was the biggest.”
The Aztecs (32-16-1 overall; 14-10 Western Athletic Conference) solidified their WAC tournament chances by taking two of three games from the Western Division-leading Spartans (33-19; 17-10).
The Red and Black also got a surprise from starting pitcher Ruben Aguilera. The 5-foot-9 sophomore, previously used as a reliever his last 15 appearances, started on the mound and pitched a complete game victory.
Aguilera (3-0) allowed only five hits, two walks and one earned run while striking out six Spartan batters. It was his first starting assignment since pitching for Southwestern Junior College in Chula Vista.
“Ruben really picked us up,” Warner said. “I’m surprised he went the whole way. I expected him to go about seven innings. But he still had good velocity and was still dominating hitters.”
SDSU gave Aguilera a 1-0 lead in the top of the fifth inning when second baseman Oscar Lopez drove in his 21st run of the season, singling in shortstop Jason Klatt.
The Spartans tied the game in the bottom of the sixth on a sacrifice fly by first baseman Robert Berns, scoring center fielder Scott Lewis.
The game was tied into the eighth inning when the Aztecs started to knock around the Spartans’ bullpen. Lopez led off the inning with a double off reliever Jeff Baker (4-2). One out later, Baker intentionally walked hot-hitting Andy Bevins to put runners at first and second.
Ryan McDermott came out of the bullpen and quickly surrendered an RBI single to Jason Phillips. First baseman Justin Brunette followed with a walk, and Yerke cleared the bases with his home run.
“(Yerke) hasn’t played as much as he would have liked to, but he’s never complained,” Warner said. “It couldn’t have happened to a nicer guy.”
SJSU attempted one final comeback in the bottom of the ninth. With one out in the inning, Berns belted a solo home run, his 11th of the season.
One out later, catcher Steve Ashley singled, Tony James walked and Aguilera hit pinch hitter Tim Duncan to load the bases.
But Aguilera pitched himself out of the jam, striking out pinch hitter Kyle Richardson to end the game.
