Maryland baseball’s comeback bid falls short in 7-5 loss to Rutgers

Entering Saturday’s game against Rutgers, Maryland baseball right-hander Taylor Bloom had walked six batters all year. But he issued three walks in the fifth inning to the Scarlet Knights, part of a two-run frame that gave Rutgers a lead they wouldn’t relinquish.

The game was tied entering the fifth, but the mistakes in that inning proved costly in a 7-5 loss that clinched Maryland’s second consecutive series loss.

Trouble struck at a time when it seemed Bloom had found a rhythm. The sophomore righty had retired five consecutive batters, including the leadoff batter in the fifth. The next hitter he faced hit a pop fly that didn’t even travel 20 feet.

But miscommunication between Bloom, catcher Justin Morris and first baseman Kevin Biondic let the pop up drop for an infield single. Bloom induced a groundout for the second out before coach John Szefc elected to intentionally walk Rutgers catcher R.J. Devish.

After the first intentional free pass of Bloom’s career, he lost his control. He issued two more walks, enough to load the bases and force in the go-ahead run. An infield single gave the Scarlet Knights a 4-2 lead before Bloom escaped the inning.

The Scarlet Knights had taken an early 2-0 lead after scoring a run in both of the first two innings, but the Terps were able to even the score with runs in the second and third. After the fifth inning, though, Maryland couldn’t respond.

Rutgers added on two runs in the seventh on a two-run homer in Bloom’s last inning of work and grew their lead to 7-2 with another run in the eighth. It was one of Bloom’s worst starts of the year, as he gave up six runs on nine hits and issued three walks.

After struggling offensively for much of the game late, the Terps made a comeback effort in the ninth. With one out, shortstop Kevin Smith lifted a three-run homer over the high wall in center field to make it 7-5. Designated hitter Madison Nickens followed that with a double to bring the tying run to the plate.

But Biondic and pinch-hitter Jamal Wade flew out, securing the Terps’ fourth straight loss.