Kansas shortstop Brandon Macias is unable to handle the throw from the plate as Texas runner Erich Weiss (6) steals second base Friday, April 22, 2011 at Hoglund Ballpark.

Statistically, Cole Green came in as the weakest of Texas’ three weekend starters with a 3.27 earned-run average.

It would have been hard to tell that after Friday’s effort, as the right-hander allowed no runs in seven innings during No. 4 UT’s 9-1 victory over Kansas at Hoglund Ballpark.

“We’re letting them just dominate us with the fastball, then we’ve got no chance when we’re seeing the breaking ball,” KU coach Ritch Price said. “It’s been back-to-back days like that. We’ve had some horrendous at-bats.”

Green was efficient, needing just 84 pitches to make it through seven innings. His final line included six hits and two walks to go with four strikeouts.

“It’s tough when a guy’s up there mixing it well and he’s throwing curveballs and we’re swinging at them in the dirt,” KU shortstop Brandon Macias said. “Everyone does it. I’ve done it. We’ve just got to swing at balls that are in the zone.”

KU put up its first run of the series in the bottom of the ninth on an RBI single from pinch-hitter Chris Manship.

With the run, the Jayhawks avoided being shut out for a second consecutive game — something that hasn’t happened at the school since 2001.

Texas jumped on KU early, scoring three first-inning runs off Jayhawks starter T.J. Walz on three hits and a pair of walks.

The right-hander Walz, who hadn’t given up more than three earned runs in any of his previous eight starts, allowed four earned runs in the first two innings and five earned runs overall.

“Even when you don’t have your stuff, you have to pitch,” Walz said. “I didn’t do a very good job of that today.”

Walz also surrendered a season-high 10 hits in five innings — his shortest start since Feb. 18 against TCU.

Texas (30-9, 13-4 Big 12) was led by Tant Shepherd, who had three of his team’s seven doubles.

KU (19-20, 8-9) will try to avoid a sweep in the final game of the series at 1 p.m. today.