Stanford defeated Washington 7-5 Saturday in a game that was in some ways a replay of Friday. An error helped Washington build a lead, Stanford rallied and Matt Winaker hit an important two-run home run.

Andrew Summerville (5-1, 4.08 ERA) earned the win and Colton Hock got the final eight outs for his 15th save this season. Fans hid under the shade on a hot day at Sunken Diamond, but the Cardinal (36-14, 17-9) -- winners of 17 of 19 and the past five series -- have shown they are worth the price of sunscreen and a good hat.

Since dropping a tough series to UCLA the Cardinal have rocketed up the national rankings.

"I think it has exceeded expectations for any team to do what we've done, especially in our conference," said head coach Mark Marquess. "I was thinking of that today and I don't think Oregon State gets enough credit. It's unbelievable."

Considering the inconsistent nature of the Cardinal's play in the first part of the season, the current winning ways may seem like just a hot streak to those outside the program. But Nico Hoerner -- who had three hits and three RBI Saturday, including two on a double in the third inning to tie the game at two --said what made the UCLA series hurt was that the team knew they were capable of much better play.

"It wasn't, 'Oh man, we're just not good,'" he said. "We knew we had a great group and hadn't quite clicked, yet. I definitely expected us to turn around our season. Winning 17 of 19 is hard to predict for any team, but we've been very consistent in how we've gone about it. We feel we have a way to control a game and win."

This was the level of play senior Jack Klein said he always expected from the Cardinal.

"That's why you do all the work," he said. "If that's not your mindset then you shouldn't be here. It's fun and great to be a part of, and I'm expecting this every single time we come out."

And after a dip in production for a few games, Klein has two hits in each of his past two games, including an RBI single in the eighth to give Stanford a 7-5 lead.

Saturday was the fifth straight game the opponent scored first against Stanford. But the Cardinal are 4-1 in those games in part because of the improving depth of the lineup. The development of Brandon Wulff (17-for-62 in PAC-12 play) and Maverick Handley (19-for-72 in PAC-12) into solid contributors and the rise of Hoerner (.372 in PAC-12) gives Stanford a more consistent scoring threat one through nine.

And when you're leadoff hitter is capable of consecutive games with two-run home runs, then that typically means good things for a lineup.