Left-handed pitcher Ryan Kellogg winds up for a throw in a match against USC on April 5, 2014. (Photo by Mario Mendez)While certainly not immune to having a bad game, junior pitcher Ryan Kellogg has made a name for himself by pitching his best in the games where the opponent and the gravity of the matchup bring out the best of his talent and competitiveness.
It went down to the wire, but bolstered by Kellogg, ASU baseball defeated TCU 7-6 Saturday afternoon.
Even after a shaky second inning, where a pair of singles preceded a three-run home run by freshman catcher Zach Plunkett to put TCU ahead 3-0, the lefty didn’t stray from the formula that has made him one of the most effective No. 2 starters in the Pac-12.
Working hitters to high pitch counts – the Kellogg way – doesn’t always produce the flashiest results, and he hasn’t been able to rely upon a flawless infield to generate the ground ball outs he’s become known for.
However, he did make a mental mistake himself, which head coach Tracy Smith pointed out: He didn’t cover first base on a grounder to the right side, extending an inning.
“I’ll live with an error as long as it’s aggressive,” Smith said. “Our defense has actually been much better, but today it was a little sloppy. We’re fortunate it didn’t cost us the baseball game.”
At times, he even appears like he’s lost his command, only to work all the way back and get a much-needed strikeout.
“Any time you can mix (pitches) in the zone, you’re going to have success,” Smith said. “Even with his fastball, whether it was fatigue, or settling in and trying to take a little off, was just enough to keep those guys off balance a little bit.”
In 7.2 innings Saturday, Kellogg (2-0) struck out seven, allowing three runs on seven hits, hurling five consecutive scoreless innings and retired 10 straight hitters.
“Being able to mix pitches and stay committed to the fastball,” Kellogg said. “Didn’t really have the changeup, but locating the fastball and the slider – I didn’t really throw that last week – was pretty helpful.”
After searching for runs that were so elusive last night, the Sun Devils got on the scoreboard thanks to clutch hitting from faces both old and new.
Junior designated hitter RJ Ybarra hit a ground rule double, and advanced to third on a sacrifice fly by senior first baseman Joey Bielek.
Freshman left fielder Coltin Gerhart recorded his first collegiate RBI with a single to center field that drove in Ybarra to chip away at the three-run deficit in the second inning.
In the third, ASU jumped out in front after a rally loaded the bases for sophomore shortstop Colby Woodmansee, earning an RBI on a sacrifice fly to right field that scored sophomore catcher Brian Serven.
The next pitch was to Ybarra, who slammed a towering three-run home run over the wall in left that put the Sun Devils ahead 5-3.
“I thought (the home run) was a pop fly, to be honest,” Ybarra said. “I guess it carried very well out of there today. It was big time for us to get some runs early.”
Possibly overshadowed by Kellogg and Ybarra, though, was the contribution of junior center fielder Johnny Sewald.
ASU’s leadoff hitter made two key defensive plays, including a running catch near the warning track in left center and a diving catch in right center to rob a pair of TCU hitters of extra bases.
In addition to being on base when Ybarra homered, he also led off the fifth inning with a bunt single and came around to score, which was crucial in a close game.
Junior closer Ryan Burr faced seven batters in another dramatic ninth, but held on to retire consecutive TCU hitters on strikeouts to finish off a late rally.
“We still haven’t played our best baseball yet,” Ybarra said. “We’re playing good enough to win, but we’re not where we want to be yet. It’s good that we’re getting behind and are able to hit well enough to battle back.”
ASU will go for its second straight home series win in the rubber match against TCU on Sunday, Feb. 22. at 12:30 p.m.
Reach the reporter at smodrich@asu.edu or follow @StefanJModrich on Twitter.
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