PHOENIX – Another quality start from left-hander Ryan Kellogg and a balanced offensive attack led No. 6 Sun Devil Baseball to a 6-3 victory over Stanford and the team’s third straight Pac-12 series win in front of 3,604 fans on Saturday night at Phoenix Municipal Stadium.
The Sun Devils (17-7, 6-2) opened the season with three conference series wins for the first time since 2009 and reached the 17-win mark before April for the first time since 2011.
Kellogg (5-0) picked up his fifth win of the season and improved to 24-4 in his three-year career, including 16-1 in Pac-12 play. He scattered seven hits and two walks across six innings and struck out two in the 23rd quality start of his career. He conceded a leadoff double and a two-out RBI single in the first inning, and proceeded to retire seven straight across three scoreless frames. He stranded seven runners in the outing and has now earned multiple wins over five different conference opponents.
Right-hander Ryan Burr (9) recorded a five-out save to earn his ninth of the season and the 33rd of his career. He issued back-to-back strikeouts with a pair of runners in scoring position in the eighth and put together a perfect ninth to close out the win.
Nine different Devils recorded a hit, including a single and a triple from left fielder Jake Peevyhouse, and shortstop Colby Woodmansee tallied his team-best fifth multi-RBI game.
The Cardinal (10-13, 0-5) used a leadoff double from second baseman Tommy Edman and a two-out RBI single from left fielder Alex Dunlap to take a quick one-run lead in the top of the first. ASU countered in the bottom of the inning with a leadoff walk, a single from Peevyhouse and a sacrifice fly from Woodmansee.
Third baseman David Greer and center fielder Johnny Sewald each drove in a run in the second inning as ASU scored a pair on four hits to take its first lead of the game, 3-1. Right fielder Trever Allen and first baseman Joey Bielek singled and doubled, respectively, and were plated on RBI singles, including Greer’s second of the series and his sixth in Pac-12 play.
Stanford cut ASU’s lead to one, 3-2, in the top of the fifth, but the Devils responded with three runs in the bottom half to extend its advantage to four, 6-2. ASU’s first six batters of the inning reached base, including a leadoff double from second baseman Andrew Snow, a RBI triple from Peevyhouse, and a RBI double from Woodmansee, as they tallied their second four-hit inning of the game.
Right-handed reliever Jordan Aboites replaced Kellogg in the seventh and issued a walk to the first two batters he faced before fellow right-hander Eric Melbostad took over. Melbostad loaded the bases with a walk before he induced a double-play groundout and a looking strikeout to hold Stanford to one run and keep ASU’s lead at three.
Cardinal starting pitcher Gabe Cramer (0-1) allowed three runs on five hits in two innings to take the loss in his first start of the season.
Notes
The Devils moved to 97-93 all-time against Stanford, including 7-9 in all-time series’…Woodmansee and Greer are tied for the team lead in runs batted in during conference play with six…Burr’s 76 career appearances are the sixth-most in school history.
Up Next
The Sun Devils close out their three-game set with Stanford on Sunday, March 29, at 12:30 p.m. at Phoenix Muni. The game will be live streamed via thesundevils.com and broadcast by NBC Sports Radio AM 1060 with Tim Healey and Seth Dhaenens on the call.
Family Section, Family Four Pack
The Family Section, located in Section 20 on the third-base line near the picnic area, does not permit alcohol or inappropriate language. A general admission ticket is the only requirement to gain entry into the section. Family Four Pack’s include four tickets to the game, four big hot dogs and four 32 oz. fountain drinks, and start at just $60. The first Family Four Pack of the season is available now for the Devils’ three-game series against Oregon State March 13-15. Following the series against the Beavers, Family Four Packs will be available for all home mid-week and Sunday games the rest of the season. Click here to purchase.
2015 Flex and Mini Plans
Flex and Mini Plans are available now for the 2015 season at Phoenix Municipal Stadium. A Flex Plan allows fans to receive discounted prices up to 46 percent without having to choose games in advance. Fans will receive nine ticket vouchers that are redeemable for any game, in any quantity, in the infield reserved seating sections. Mini Plans offer fans the opportunity to pick and choose any five games this season. Click here to view Flex and Mini Plan options.
Transitioning The Legacy Campaign
Season ticket holders also have an opportunity to make a capital campaign commitment towards the Phoenix Muni renovations. All gifts, no matter the size, are important and appreciated, and can be a one-time gift or a five-year pledge. Fans interested in naming opportunities at Phoenix Muni can contact the Sun Devil Club at 480-727-7700. All commitments are tax-deductible through the Sun Devil Club. Join our community and own a piece of our hometown team.
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