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Mark Saltz/The Advocate

Starting right-handed pitcher Anthony Ranaudo (23) throws a pitch against Texas.

Texas scored twice to slice the Tigers advantage to 4-2 as LSU starter Anthony Ranaudo struggled with his control.

The Longhorns put the leadoff runner on for the third consecutive inning. Travis Tucker doubled into the left-field corner to start the Longhorn half of the third. Brandon Belt walked and went to first after temporarily losing track of the count, giving Texas runners at first and second with none out.

Russell Moldenhauer hit a scorching line drive to left-center field that LSU center fielder Mikie Mahtook ran down after almost misplaying the ball. Texas followed with a double-steal to put runners at second and third with one out, and Rupp scored Tucker with a ground out to short.

But Ranaudo issued three consecutive walks to force in another run and cut LSU's lead to 4-2. Brandon Loy hit into a fielder's choice to end the inning.

Ranaudo has walked five, tying a single-game high this season. His pitch count is unofficially at 77 through three innings.

In the top of the inning, Texas head coach Augie Garrido took a page out of LSU head coach Paul Mainieri's book and brought in a new pitcher. At least for one inning, Garrido's decision worked out better than Mainieri's bullpen call did Tuesday night.

Brandon Workman came in for Longhorn starter Cole Green, who departed after giving up four runs and five hits in two innings. Workman took the loss Monday night, allowing Mikie Mahtook's two-out RBI single in the top of the 11th inning of LSU's 7-6 victory.

LSU's Sean Ochinko greeted Workman with a leadoff line-drive single to left. But Workman recovered, striking out Mahtook and Micah Gibbs after Jared Mitchell's fly out to left.

On Tuesday night, Mainieri yanked LSU starter Austin Ross after he gave up two runs in two innings. Mainieri's manuever didn't pay off as Ryan Byrd subsequently gave up three runs in two-thirds of an inning to put LSU in a 5-1 hole it couldn't escape.