On a day where outfielder Drew Smith was named to the Golden Spikes Award midseason watch list by USA Baseball, No. 15 Oregon baseball was stomped out by the Michigan Wolverines (15-13, 4-6) 10-0 in seven innings.

A bad start from sophomore ace Will Sanford coupled with an apathetic day from the Ducks (23-7, 7-3 Big Ten) offensively, led to Oregon’s first run-rule loss of the season. Combined with Oregon’s loss to Portland on Tuesday, the Ducks have now lost two-straight contests for the first time all season.

There were virtually no positives for Oregon as Sanford was tagged for five runs, all earned, in a third inning he could not escape. The sophomore let up a solo homer to Noah Miller in the second, but it wasn’t until the third frame that he lost his command and the game got out of hand. 

After getting the leadoff hitter out, Sanford hit one and walked two of the next three batters. Then, a fielder’s choice, two-run single, another walk and a brutal batter reaching via a dropped third strike ended Sanford’s day. Tanner Bradley wouldn’t fare much better, allowing another two-run single before striking out the final batter of the inning to end his outing.

​Josh Hollis entered in relief, allowing four earned runs, including a run-rule-inducing two-run double from Colby Turner in the sixth.

Offensively, three singles from Ryan Cooney, Jax Gimenez and Drew Smith were all the baserunners Oregon could muster. ​Shane Brinham was terrific for the Wolverines, striking out seven and allowing no more than one baserunner in each of his seven innings of work. With such a big lead, he pounded the zone and mixed pitches well, walking none.

It’s just one game in for the Ducks, but Oregon’s struggles in Ann Arbor were reminiscent of its struggles against the Pilots in a 3-0 loss less than 48 hours prior. What’s more, the Ducks have scored just four runs over their last four games.

Sanford will likely be fine in the big picture; despite being lit up for six runs in just 2.2 innings of work, his ERA still sits at an impressive 2.54. Overall, Thursday’s game was a struggle for all aspects of Oregon’s team, with neither the Ducks’ offense, pitching, or defense playing particularly well in any phase of the game.

In better news for the Ducks, Smith was named to the Golden Spikes Award watch list, with the senior’s breakout season being recognized by the national media. Smith entered Thursday’s contest slashing .381/.487/.742 with a team-best 1.229 OPS and went 1-3 against Brinham.

Oregon will take on Michigan in game two of the series tomorrow at 1 p.m. PT.