April 6, 2011
INDIANAPOLIS - Purdue baseball scored six times in the second inning and Robert Ramer struck out a career-high six in a lengthy relief outing, lifting the Boilermakers to their ninth straight win against Butler, 10-8, Wednesday afternoon.Eric Charles recorded three hits and posted his second career four-RBI effort, driving in a pair of runs with singles in the second and eighth innings. The key hit came in the eighth when he singled up the middle through a drawn-in infield on the first pitch he saw from new reliever Brian Padove. That extended a one-run Purdue lead to 10-7.
Stephen Talbott opened the scoring with a three-run double to left center in the second inning.
Ramer (3-0) came up just one out shy of finishing off the game. At 5 2/3 innings, it was still the longest outing of his career. He struck out a pair in the fourth and sixth innings and ended the sixth and seventh frames with a K. Nick Wittgren struck out the only man he faced to close out the win and earn his fourth save of the year.
The Boilermakers (18-10) never trailed after their big rally in the second inning. Butler (11-13) got back in the game thanks to three home runs and answered Purdue's single insurance tallies in the fourth and seventh innings with a run in the bottom half of each frame. But the Boilers held on to their one-run lead thanks to scoreless innings from Ramer in the fifth and sixth.
On a day in which there were eight errors committed, Purdue batters also drew seven walks. Six of the Boilers' 10 runs were scored by runners that did not hit their way on base. Meanwhile, led by Ramer's 5 2/3 innings without a walk, the pitchers issued only one free pass.
A hit batsman and a pair of walks ignited Purdue's six-run rally. With the bases loaded and one out, Talbott lined a pitch into left center. Andrew Dixon was able to score easily from first base after the Butler left fielder made a weak throw into the middle of the infield. Charles later came up with runners on second and third and two outs, lining a pitch into center field that Corey Moylan wasn't able to hang on to while attempting to make a diving catch.
Charles stole second base moments later and scored on the same play after the ball got away from the middle infielders and was thrown away while trying to cut down Charles at third base.
Butler connected for back-to-back home runs in the second inning and another two-run shot in the third, making it a one-run game.
Bunts led to insurance runs for the Boilermakers in the fourth and seventh innings. Talbott bunted and reached safely on a throwing error to begin the third. He scored on a Jake Hansen base hit through a drawn-in infield. The Bulldogs brought the infield in after Talbott successfully stole third base.
Charles reached on a bunt single to open the seventh and scored on a bases-loaded walk to Payton Bieker, the third of three straight free passes in the inning.
A walk to David Miller in the eighth also led to another run. Tyler Spillner followed with a double to left center, putting runners on second and third with one out. After making a pitching change, bringing in the sidearmer Pavone, Butler also brought the infield in. Charles squeezed a ground ball through the middle of the infield to score both base runners.
Cameron Perkins singled in the second inning to extend his hitting streak to 10 consecutive games. It represents his second 10-game streak this season.
Purdue returns to action Friday when it opens a three-game Big Ten series against Michigan. The first pitch at Lambert Field is slated for 4 p.m.