Dominic Hellman entered uncharted territory Saturday, blasting the type of statement, go-ahead two-run home run that might as well have announced himself as Oregon’s go-to guy when the Ducks need a spark. Given the woeful state of the Ducks’ bullpen’s implosion post-home run, however, the only way they would’ve won was if Hellman was able to finish the game himself on the mound.
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In the kind of late-game giveaway that sometimes just happens — especially against quality opponents like UC Irvine (8-3)  — the Ducks (9-1) gave up five runs in a pivotal bottom of the eighth inning that cemented an 8-6 loss, Oregon’s first of the year.
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Relievers Miles Gozstola and Devin Bell combined to allow five runs, cutting deep into what was previously a 5-3 Oregon lead. UCI scored five runs on just three hits, with the inning punctuated by five walks and hit-by-pitches. First, Gozstola lost his command, walking two over 1.2 innings of work. Then, Bell entered in relief, surrendering the lead on three walks.
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The story on Saturday should’ve been about Hellman, who went 2-4 and blasted a two-run go-ahead homer that took the top off an Oregon offense that certainly needed it. Oregon’s offense mustered just two hits through five innings before coming alive late. Drew Smith stayed hot, blasting a solo shot in the seventh inning before Hellman’s blast and an RBI single from Smith gave Oregon the lead in the eighth.
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But the Ducks’ bullpen couldn’t keep up their end of the bargain. Gozstola and Bell, who have pitched well this year, in both low-leverage and high-leverage spots, failed to do so in the eighth.
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Gozstola tossed a scoreless seventh before losing command late in his outing. Then, Bell entered and had even less command. The result? Oregon’s first loss of the year, and the Ducks’ three best bullpen arms are unavailable for tomorrow’s game against Vanderbilt.
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Realistically, one game is nowhere near enough to sound the alarms on the Ducks’ arms. Oregon’s offense coming alive late was predictable, too, with the Ducks likely getting home from last night’s game 11 or so hours before first pitch Saturday.
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Oregon’s pitching lost its command, and the Ducks lost their perfect record. Sometimes it happens in baseball. Still, this likely won’t be the last time fans hear about Oregon’s bullpen in a sport that demands having a good one.
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The Ducks take on the Commodores tomorrow at 11 a.m. in the last game of the Live Like Lou Classic.