Two homers from Crews not enough to overcome faulty starting pitching, defensive miscues in LSU’s 8-3 loss at Alabama

Alabama right-hander Jacob McNairy limited LSU to one run in 5.2 innings Saturday night as the Crimson Tide posted an 8-3 win over the Tigers at Sewell-Thomas Stadium.

LSU (31-15, 13-10 in SEC) concludes its series with Alabama (26-21, 10-13) at 1 p.m. Sunday in a game that will be broadcast on the LSU Sports Radio Network and streamed on SEC Network +.

McNairy (5-2) allowed one run on four hits in 5.2 innings with three walks and seven strikeouts, firing 102 pitches.

LSU starting pitcher Blake Money (2-4) was charged with the loss, as he did not record an out and allowed two runs on two hits with two walks. The Tigers were led at the plate by centerfielder Dylan Crews, who unloaded two homers to account for all three LSU runs.

LSU played without sophomore switch-hitter Jacob Berry who reportedly has a small hairline fracture of the middle finger on his right hand.

“This wasn’t a good game for us,” LSU baseball coach Jay Johnson said. “We dug ourselves an early hole, but Dylan Crews was outstanding. He showed why he’s one of the best hitters in the country, so that was a positive. We had a few good at-bats, but we’ve got to pitch better and limit the mistakes on defense. We can’t make those mistakes against good teams.

“We’re actually in a better position with our pitching tomorrow than we were at this point last weekend. I’m excited to get our pitchers out there competing on the mound.”

LSU took a 1-0 lead in the first inning when centerfielder Crews launched his 14th homer of the year over the batters’ eye in center field.

Alabama responded with two runs in the bottom of the first on an RBI single by catcher Dominic Tamez and a sacrifice fly by designated hitter William Hamiter.

The Tide extended its lead to 5-1 in the second inning against reliever Grant Taylor, taking advantage of two walks, an error and a wild pitch to plate three runs.

Alabama capitalized on two more LSU errors in the third inning to expand its lead to 7-1.

The Tigers narrowed the gap to 7-3  in the seventh when Crews blasted his second homer of the game — a two-run shot to right field – marking his 15th dinger of the season.

Taylor worked four innings and allowed five runs – three earned – on three hits with five walks and four strikeouts. Ty Floyd pitched the final four innings of the game for the Tigers, limiting Alabama to one run on two hits with one walk and five strikeouts.

Alabama closer Dylan Ray preserved the win for the Tide, allowing no hits over two scoreless innings with two walks and four strikeouts.

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twenty seven + = twenty nine