Sun Devils Hit Three Homers In 10-2 Win

The game became a 10-run affair in the sixth after McGough loaded the bases by way of a double and two walks.

Salem-News.com

TEMPE, Ariz. - Arizona State’s pitching stifled Oregon once again, and the Sun Devils’ offense hammered three home runs in a 10-2 victory on Saturday night at Packard Stadium.

Right-hander Jordan Swagerty (3-1) pitched six scoreless innings before surrendering two runs in the seventh to end his outing. The freshman tossed 6 and 2/3 innings for the third-ranked Sun Devils, allowing just two runs on eight hits, while dealing eight strikeouts and walking none.

Freshman Tyler Anderson (2-8) took the loss for the Ducks (14-36, 4-19), tossing 4 and 2/3 innings, allowing seven runs (six earned) on 10 hits and two walks.

ASU (40-11, 18-5), in search of its third consecutive Pac-10 title, took Oregon’s pitching staff for 14 hits, including three home runs from Riccio Torrez, Carlos Ramirez and Kole Calhoun.

Arizona State wasted little time taking an early 3-0 lead. Back-to-back singles led to the Sun Devils first run when Calhoun’s RBI groundout scored Jason Kipnis. Torrez then sent Anderson’s two-out offering deep over the wall in left center, a two-run shot and his fifth round-tripper of the year.

The Sun Devils’ lead increased their lead to 7-0 in the bottom of the fifth, after Anderson surrendered back-to-back solo home runs over the right field wall to Ramirez and Calhoun. Anderson then walked Torrez, forced Matt Newman to ground into a double play and hit Zack MacPhee before leaving the game.

Freshman Scott McGough came in to end the inning, but not before a wild pitch allowed Torrez to score Arizona State’s seventh run.

The game became a 10-run affair in the sixth after McGough loaded the bases by way of a double and two walks. McGough was lifted in favor of freshman right-hander Alex Keudell, but Abe Ruiz laced a two-out bases-clearing double down the right field line.

It took Oregon six innings to get to Swagerty, scoring two runs in the top of the seventh. Colby Sokol scored the Ducks’ first run on Paul Eshleman’s RBI fielder’s choice, while Eshleman moved around the bases on Josh Hogan’s deep single to right center and later scored on pinch hitter Mitch Karraker’s sacrifice fly to center.

Twice Oregon stranded runners in crucial scoring situations. In the third with runners on first and third, Swagerty struck out Curtis Raulinaitis on three pitches to keep the Ducks off the scoreboard. Caleb Tommasini got the same treatment in the fifth when he struck out with two outs on the scoreboard and runners sitting at second and third.

Ramirez led ASU with a 3-for-5 performance with one RBI and three runs scored. Calhoun was 2-for-4 with two RBIs and two runs, while Torres was 2-for3 with two RBIs and two runs scored. Ruiz (2-for-2, 2 RBI) and Dew Maggi (2-for05) also had multiple hits.

Left-hander Mitchell Lambson pitched 2 and 1/3 innings of relief for Swagerty. Combined the duo struck out 13 and walked none.

Antony Kreitz, Eshleman and Hogan each had 2-for-4 performances for Oregon.

The series finale is set for 1:00 p.m. tomorrow at Winkles Field-Packard Stadium. The game can be heard on KUGN 590 in Eugene. Fans can also listen to the broadcast on the O-Zone at www.GoDucks.com.

Notes: Freshman right fielder Antony Kreitz extended his hitting streak to seven games with a one-out single up the middle on 1-2 count in the fourth inning...Kreitz later produced Oregon’s first extra-base hit of the series with a double to right center in the top of the sixth...Eddy Rodriguez drove his seventh double of the season into right center while pinch hitting in the ninth...the Oregon pitching staff gave up three home runs in a game for the fifth time this season...Oregon has now lost nine weekend (10 season) series this year.

Special thanks to GoDucks.com

Adding comments to these stories has been disabled. View the current sports stories Salem-News Sports