Utes can't find much offense in loss to UNLV

For the second straight afternoon, the University of Utah baseball team saw an early lead evaporate into a loss to UNLV. The Utes led 1-0 after three innings Sunday but couldn't generate much more offense and dropped a 9-2 decision to the Rebels at Franklin Covey Field.

Utah (22-20, 5-8 MWC) grabbed its slim, early margin in the bottom of the first. Second baseman Tyler Kmetko doubled with one out, moved to third on a passed ball and scored on a single off the bat of designated hitter Eric King.

Meanwhile, Utah starter Lucas Trinnaman cruised through the first three innings without allowing a hit or run. UNLV (19-26, 6-10) finally got to Trinnaman for a single run in the top of the fourth, knotting the game at 1-1. Trinnaman allowed another run in the fifth and the Rebels took a 2-1 lead.

In the sixth, a Utah error, a walk and a bunt single loaded the bases to knock Trinnaman out of the game. Ute reliever Shad McCord allowed two of the inherited runners to score, leaving UNLV with a 4-1 advantage.

Rebel reliever Matt Luca took over for UNLV starter Efren Navarro Jr. in the fourth inning and shut the Utes down for four innings. Luca held the Utes without a hit to pick up the victory. Meanwhile, the Rebels continued to work on Utah's bullpen. UNLV scored one run in both the seventh and eighth to go on top, 6-1.

The Utes pulled within four in the bottom of the eighth. Utah shortstop Ryan Khoury blasted his team-leading 11th home run to left field off UNLV's Matt Wagner. But that was all the damage the Utes would do in the inning.

In the ninth, UNLV's Chad Miller crushed a Brad DeVore offering over the left-field wall for a three-run home run. Miller's blast put the Rebels up 9-2. The Utes tried to put together a rally in the ninth. Clayne Garrett singled and King doubled, but they were both stranded.

The Utes are back in action again next weekend at TCU. Utah will face the Frogs in a three-game set, beginning Friday at 6 p.m. MDT.