5/17/24 Illinois 9, Purdue 4

Purdue baseball relievers gave up 7 runs over the last three innings as the Boilers lost to visiting Illinois, 9-4, Friday night at Alexander Field. Purdue (33-21, 13-10) has lost four straight games and are 2-6 in their last 8 Big Ten games after being alone in first place a couple of weeks ago. With the win, Illinois (32-17, 17-6) clinched at tie for the regular-season Big Ten championship with one game remaining.

Purdue left-handed starter Luke Wagner pitched a solid 6 innings giving up 2 runs on 3 hits and 1 walk from the 22 batters he faced. The first hit he gave up was in the fifth inning, a bases-empty home run. But the five relievers who followed Wagner, gave up 7 runs, including 2 more home runs – one of which was a grand slam. Right-hander Aaron Suval (3-2) got the loss when he gave up three earned runs without recording an out. Julias Sanchez (1-0) picked up the win in relief.

The Boilers got 8 hits on the night with second baseman Ty Gill picking up a pair of hits. Mike Bolton Jr. was able to hit Purdue's only home run for the game in the bottom of the seventh inning.

Purdue will return to action for the regular-season finale at 3 p.m., Saturday against Illinois.