(Photo: Scotty Bara/WCSN)
One word can be used to describe Ryan Kellogg’s 2015 season: undefeated.
The junior left-hander delivered another quality start for No. 6 Arizona State (17-7, 6-2) on Saturday night to lead it to a 6-3 win over Stanford (10-13, 0-5) and a third consecutive series victory. Kellogg is 5-0 in seven starts this season and an impeccable 24-4 in his Sun Devil career.
Coming off a complete game three-hitter against Oregon last week, Kellogg didn’t have his best stuff, but battled throughout his six innings pitched, surrendering just two runs on seven hits. The outing was his 23rd career quality start.
“Trying to keep my routine the same has been key,” Kellogg said in regards to his ability to replicate success start after start. “Getting your work in throughout the week and not try to do more or try to do less. I’ve got one day a week to help this team win. I can do whatever I can on the bench to keep the energy up but Saturday is my day to have an impact on the game and I take that very seriously and that’s my motivation to work hard throughout the week.
Kellogg escaped his fair share of jams in the game, but none bigger than the one in the fifth inning, which was aided by a mound visit from Tracy Smith.
“He (Smith) just told guys to make sure we get an out on the bunt,” Kellogg said. “We needed to come out of that inning with a lead and that was a big momentum shift for us. It was big for us to get out of there and still have a 3-2 lead.”
A spectacular catch from Johnny Sewald in centerfield also played a crucial role in keeping the lead intact in the early innings.
“I’m always working on outfield and getting fly balls,” Sewald said. “That’s part of the game that I take to heart. Offense goes in slumps, but defense never takes a slump.”
Pac-12 play has been a roaring success for the Sun Devils, who now boast series wins over conference rivals Oregon, Oregon State and now the Cardinal. ASU has used a balanced attack of timely hitting and clutch pitching to stake its claim among the Pac-12’s elite so far in 2015.
Meanwhile, Stanford continues to struggle in a rebuilding season. With their rotation in a state of flux, head coach Mark Marquess opted to start Gabe Cramer, who was making his first start of the season.
Cramer failed to get out of the third inning, allowing five hits and three earned runs in the process.
The Sun Devils were able to jump on him due to contributions from the top and bottom of the order. Leadoff hitter Johnny Sewald and eight-hitter David Greer both had RBI singles in the second inning, which also included Trever Allen’s team-leading 10th double of the season. Allen went 1-for-3, extended his hitting streak to 18 games, and raised his batting average to .368.
The Sun Devils turned a one-run lead into a four-run lead in the fifth by virtue of the extra-base hit. Jake Peevyhouse tripled and Colby Woodmansee doubled in the big inning against Stanford long-reliever Keith Weisenberg.
It wasn’t all perfect for the victor though, as base running blunders were an issue again. ASU was caught stealing four times on the base paths, dropping its season success rate to just 57 percent.
The bullpen had to battle through some adversity as well, but emerged relatively unscathed. After Kellogg’s outing, Smith opted to summon Jordan Aboites, who promptly walked the only two hitters he faced. Eric Melbostad followed and made just his third appearance of the season. He looked like a seasoned veteran, though, working in and out of a tough jam in the seventh.
“It was great seeing him (Melbostad) back out there,” Kellogg said. “He’s only been throwing sidearm for a week and a half and to see him have that success, I think it’s really going to help our bullpen down the road.”
Closer Ryan Burr breezed through his 1 and 2/3 innings of work, retiring all five batters he faced and striking out two to notch his ninth save of the season, which leads the Pac-12.
“We have the mentality that if we are going to go out there and win no matter what,” Sewald said. “If we’re down two runs going into the ninth (referring to yesterday’s win) we’re going to win. That mentality is something you definitely need if you are going to go out there and play every game.”
ASU will go for its first Pac-12 series sweep of the season on Sunday with Brett Lilek taking the mound for the Sun Devils.
