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WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - The first two hitters in the Michigan lineup were a combined 6-for-9 with five runs scored, leading the No. 16 Wolverines past Purdue baseball 9-4 Saturday at Alexander Field.
Michigan (38-12, 13-7 B1G) clinched its eighth series victory of the season and has yet to trail this weekend after scoring twice in the first Saturday. Jake Bivens (2-for-4, walk, RBI, 2 runs) and Johnny Slater (4-for-5, 3 RBI, 3 runs) teamed up to account for six of the Wolverines' nine hits.
The Boilermakers (26-23, 10-10 B1G) have lost the first two games of a weekend for the first time since March 10 to 13 at Cal State Northridge. After ending April riding a seven-game win streak, Purdue has now lost five of its six games this month.
The Boilermakers have been outscored 11-2 in the first inning this month. Purdue scored twice in the bottom of the fourth Saturday to tie the game up at 2-2. It ended a streak of 25 consecutive innings in which the Boilermakers had trailed. However, Purdue has still not held the lead for 31 consecutive innings dating back to last Sunday's back-and-forth loss to Northwestern.
Bivens' leadoff double in the sixth inning led to the go-ahead run. Slater followed with his second RBI single of the night. Michigan executed a suicide squeeze later in the frame.
Jacson McGowan, Nick Dalesandro, Mike Madej and Hayden Grant all finished with a pair of hits for the Boilermakers. Harry Shipley was hit by a pitch in the bottom of the fourth to ignite Purdue's two-run inning. It was his 56th career HBP, establishing a new program record.
#Purdue highlights from tonight's 9-4 loss to #16 Michigan. Sunday's series finale at 3pm ET is live on #BTN. https://t.co/FhBJuommt4
-- Purdue Baseball (@PurdueBaseball) May 14, 2017
With the game tied 2-2, the Boilermakers loaded the bases with two outs in the fifth inning to chase Michigan starter Alec Rennard. But Ryan Nutof (6-2) needed just one pitch to escape the jam and went on to retire nine of the 12 batters he faced. Rennard set down the first 10 batters of the game in order, but six of the final nine batters he faced reached base safely.
Gareth Stroh made it through eight innings, surrendering six runs (four earned) on six hits and four walks. The left-hander picked off two base runners as they took off for second base. He retired 14 of 16 batters from the first through fifth innings, but the Wolverines scored twice in all three frames in which they put runs on the board against him. Stroh (4-4) suffered his first loss of the season at Alexander Field. He has worked at least six innings in six of his last seven starts.
Grant and Shipley both made impressive diving plays defensively, but the Boilermakers also failed to make some routine plays while they were in the field. Purdue's four errors were its most in nearly a month. Grant took away a pair of hits with diving plays at third, but also failed to catch a pair of foul pop ups. The batter ended up drawing a walk on both occasions.
McGowan's double to center field plated Shipley in the fourth inning. McGowan scored moments later on a base hit up the middle from Dalesandro.
Michigan's Miles Lewis made a pair of nice sliding catches in left center field, both plays coming with runners on first and second base.
The Boilermakers had four singles in the ninth inning, forcing the Wolverines to go back to the bullpen for their fourth pitcher of the game.
Grant robbed Michael Brdar twice, taking away hits in the first and ninth innings. Grant's diving stop in the top of the ninth turned into a 5-3 double play.
Sunday's series finale is set for 3 p.m. ET and will be televised live by the Big Ten Network. The Boilermakers' six seniors will be recognized prior to the game for their contributions to Purdue baseball.