LOS ANGELES -- The fourth-ranked UCLA baseball team received another combined shut out from its pitching staff, while two productive middle innings were more than enough run support as the Bruins blanked visiting Arizona, 6-0, Saturday at Jackie Robinson Stadium.
Starter Grant Watson (W, 8-4) turned in seven complete innings, striking out six, walking none and scattering only four hits. Three relievers combined to finish the final two frames.
Brett Stephens was 3-for-5 out of the leadoff spot, highlighting a lineup that saw eight of its starters collected a base hit. The top four slots in the order combined for six of the club's 11 hits and five runs scored.
Ty Moore broke open a scoreless game with a leadoff solo homer to right field in the fourth inning. Luke Persico followed with a single and later scored on a wild pitch to spot the Bruins the 2-0 lead.
UCLA (39-12, 20-6 Pac-12) opened up the game with a three-run fifth inning, knocking starter Nathan Bannister from the game after Brett Stephens started things with a single.
Left-hander Cameron Ming took over for Bannister, and the Bruins loaded the bases with one out against the reliever. Chris Keck then drove in a run with a sacrifice fly, and after Robby Medel replaced Ming, two runs scored when third baseman Bobby Dalbec committed a two-base throwing error on a grounder from Darrell Miller Jr.
Prior to the fourth, Bannister had been steady. The right-hander retired the first seven he faced in the game, then shrugged off consecutive one-out singles in the third with two quick outs to escape any trouble.
But Bannister (L, 6-5) struggled the second time through the order and suffered the loss. He was charged with three earned runs on seven hits to go with two strikeouts and no walks.
Arizona (28-22, 12-17 Pac-12) had some scoring chances early, but could not capitalize.
In the second, Bobby Dalbec led off with a single and, one out later, Tyler Krause doubled off the wall in left-center. However, Watson bounced back to strike out Jared Oliva and Zach Gibbons, leaving two in scoring position.
Two innings later, Riley Moore ripped a leadoff double down the right field line. But once again, Watson settled in and retired the next three hits, leaving Moore at third.
The Wildcats again threatened in the eighth facing reliever Grant Dyer. Ryan Aguilar roped a one-out double, then Justin Behnke reached on an error to place runners at the corners.
UCLA quickly went to the bullpen, opting for Tucker Forbes. The righty struck out Scott Kingery and Kevin Newman grounded into a fielder's choice as two more runners were left on base.
The Bruins then added an insurance run in the home half the eighth. Reliever Cody Moffett walked Kort Peterson, who then stole second with two outs. Stephens followed with an RBI single to center.
