(Phoenix, AZ) Sun Devil Baseball worked two efficient at-bats to score the go-ahead runs in the seventh and take the second game and the series against Texas Tech with a 9-8 victory after a 14-hour rain suspension on Sunday afternoon at Phoenix Municipal Stadium.
Last night’s contest was suspended in the bottom of the seventh inning in a 7-7 tie due to rain and field conditions, resuming on Saturday afternoon with the game immediately picking up with two outs and the bases loaded for the Sun Devils in the bottom of the seventh.
Kyle Walker fittingly was the lead-off man when the game resumed as he drew a walk to push across a long-awaited run to make it 8-7. Landon Hairstonadded a RBI walk of his own to give the Sun Devils a three-run seventh inning that lasted just over 15-hours and the 9-7 lead.
Cole Carlon took the ball for the final two innings, surrendering just one run on one hit while picking up four strikeouts and notching down the save and the 9-8 win for the Sun Devils.
Kien Vu and Hairston each had three hits, the latter picking his up on a majestic three-run shot in the second and finishing with a career-high four RBIs. Isaiah Jackson added two more RBIs to his total of six for the weekend so far.
Jack Martinez gave ASU 5.2 solid innings in his start, allowing just three earned runs and striking out seven while scattering six hits.
TURNING POINT
With the rain coming down on Friday evening, The Sun Devils saw their 6-4 lead wiped away with one swing in the top of the seventh with a two-out bases clearing double to give Texas Tech a 7-6 lead. The Sun Devils immediately responded with a two-out rally of their own in the bottom half of the frame, loading the bases for Jackson. The veteran quickly fell behind 0-2 before fouling off another pitch before doing just enough to poke one into the 5-6 hole and legging out an RBI infield single to tie the game at 7-7. The game was immediately suspended at that point due to rain, setting up the bizarre circumstances to kick of Saturday’s activities.
BIG MOMENT
Day two of the contest immediately started with a huge spot for the Sun Devils. After the overnight rain delay, the bases were juiced with two outs and the top of the lineup due. Kyle Walker grinded out an extremely impressive at-bat, which resulted in a walk to push the go-ahead run across for the Sun Devils. Landon Hairston stepped into the exact same scenario and drew the free pass as well to extend the lead to 9-7 in one of the more obscure situations you could draw up. The two walks ended up being the deciding factor in the Sun Devils winning efforts.
FINAL STRAW
Cole Carlon remained as steady as ever out of the bullpen for the Sun Devils. The southpaw twirled two real solid innings amassing four strikeouts on just one hit and one run. Carlon put the exclamation point on one of the most unique games in Sun Devil baseball history to seal the two-day, 9-8 win for the Maroon and Gold.
INNING BY INNING
First Inning
Jack Martinez took the mound for the Sun Devils and dealt a three-up, three-down inning, complete with three strikeouts.
Landon Hairston reached on a single into right field, but a strikeout followed, then Hairston was caught stealing to end the inning.
Second Inning
Martinez continued his strong start, pitching another scoreless inning. He picked up two more strikeouts and a groundout in the frame.
Jacob Tobias led off the inning with a walk, but Nu’u Contrades grounded into a double play right after. Brandon Compton struck out for the third out.
Third Inning
Texas Tech picked up a run on back to back singles, followed by an RBI-groundout, but Martinez was able to limit the damage with his sixth strikeout and pop out to second.
A Kien Vu leadoff single and a Josiah Cromwick double down the left field line put two runners into scoring position for the Devils. Kyle Walker cashed in, singling into right field to score Vu. Hairston then crushed a three-run homer to right center to give ASU a 4-1 lead. A lineout and a walk followed, then Nu’u Contradesflew out to the warning track to close out the third.
Fourth Inning
Texas Tech jumped right back in it with two runs on three hits, including a pair of extra base knocks. With runners in scoring position, Martinez was able to work around the threat as the Sun Devils remained on top, 4-3.
A couple of flyouts and a groundout sent ASU down in order to conclude the fourth.
Fifth Inning
Martinez struggled to start the inning, giving up a double before walking a batter. A flyout followed, then Texas Tech tied the game on a double steal and a throw to third that got past Contrades. A flyout to right ended the inning and prevented Tech from scoring any more runs.
The Devils strung together a few hits and were able to retake the lead, 5-4, after Matt King reached on an error, scoring Walker. Two flyouts followed to end the inning.
Sixth Inning
Martinez started off the inning with a flyout and a strikeout, before walking a batter, ending his evening. Derek Schaefer came on in relief, getting a flyout to left on one pitch to close out the scoreless sixth.
The Devils pushed another run across with three consecutive singles from Vu, Cromwick, and Jackson, forcing Tech to make another pitching change. The Devils weren’t able to score again in the inning, keeping the score at 6-4.
Seventh Inning
Texas Tech loaded the bases in the top of the seventh on an error and two walks, and were able to plate three on an RBI-double down the first base line, giving the Red Raiders a 7-6 lead.
The Devils tied the game with two outs on an Isaiah Jackson single to shortstop, prompting the grounds crew to spread more dirt on the infield, before the tarp was pulled out. With the bases loaded and two outs in the bottom of the seventh, the game was postponed until Saturday. When the game resumed on Saturday, Kyle Walker walked to bring across the go-ahead run. Landon Hairston drew another bases loaded walk to make it 9-7 before the inning ended when Matt King was called out on strikes.
Eighth Inning
Cole Carlon took the mound for ASU and pitched a 1-2-3 inning with two strikeouts.
Brandon Compton reached base on a fielding error with two outs and also stole second. However, Kien Vustruck out to end the inning.
Ninth Inning
The Red Raiders led off the ninth with a double, and Carlon responded with a strikeout and a groundout. With two outs and a full count, Texas Tech stayed alive with an RBI single to get within a run. A steal of second put the tying run in scoring position, but Carlon kept his cool and clinched the victory with a strikeout.
Press Release courtesy of Sun Devil Athletics – Jeremy Hawkes
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