Close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades, not in losses.
Arizona lost 4-2 at Big 12 leader Kansas on Friday night to open a weekend series, dropping to 6-12 this season in games decided by two or fewer runs. That includes the last two contests during what’s now a 4-game losing streak.
The Wildcats (16-28, 7-15 Big 12) got solo home runs from Nate Novitske and Mathis Meurant to take a 2-1 lead in the 5th but not much else. They were 0 for 7 with runners in scoring position and managed only
six hits, three by Beau Sylvester to extend his hitting streak to 15 games.
Kansas starter Dominic Voegele threw a complete game, striking out 15 and retiring the final 15 Wildcats after Meurant opened the 5th with a solo homer.
Owen Kramkowski picked up another hard luck loss, dropping to 1-6 despite striking out 11 over five innings. He walked three and allowed four hits, including the go-ahead 2-run single in the 5th to put Kansas up 3-2.
The 11th-ranked Jayhawks (35-11, 18-4) improved to 16-2 at home including 10-0 in Big 12 play but had the second-fewest runs in a conference game at Hoglund Ballpark.
Arizona remains in 12th place in the Big 12, a half-game ahead of Texas Tech (6-15), which had its game at Baylor postponed by weather to a doubleheader Saturday. The Wildcats and Jayhawks play their second game Saturday at 12 p.m. PT, with right-hander Smith Bailey (3-3, 4.68) on the mound.
