No. 5 ASU baseball saw a lead turn into a 7-4 loss Saturday as the result of another shaky outing from junior closer Ryan Burr, who blew the save and picked up the loss during a four-run ninth inning from Tennessee Tech.
Burr (7-2), who has been looking to find the consistency he experienced earlier this year, blew another save.
Although there were four runs in the inning, Burr only gave up one earned due to an error by sophomore shortstop Colby Woodmansee.
It was an inning that resembled that of the final game in the Territorial Cup series at Phoenix Muni, where Arizona put together a six-run ninth to steal a sweep from ASU (27-12, 13-5 Pac-12).
Regardless, ASU head coach Tracy Smith said he still has the utmost confidence in Burr, who has been in a rut.
"You have to go through little stretches like that," Smith said. "I've said it numerous times, we wouldn't be where we are without him. That was not his best effort, not our best effort and we lost a baseball game. We were in a position to win a game, but it didn't happen."
Smith also said Burr needs to do a better job of locating the second pitch to a batter, noting that it's a necessity for any pitcher.
"At this level, they're getting scholarships too," he said. "Most guys are capable of hitting a fastball if they know it's coming. He's got to do a better job of locating his second pitch and once that happens, it will be a very quick turnaround for him."
The disastrous ninth inning marred what was a quality start from ASU junior starter Ryan Kellogg (7-1), who entered the game with a 3.63 ERA, 54 strikeouts and only 13 walks issued. He gave up a two-run home run to cleanup hitter Chase Chambers in the first inning, but eventually settled in and put together five consecutive scoreless innings before an RBI triple ended his day.
The junior ace allowed three runs on six hits while fanning two batters in six and two-thirds innings of work, giving the Sun Devils another quality outing. Kellogg also showed great efficiency, only using 83 pitches, which is impressive considering his rough first inning.
"He left a pitch up there in the first inning, but I think we've got to get beyond the status quo," Smith said. "We're in a tight ballgame like that, but it's the concentration and execution from the time the game starts. I would prefer not to give up runs in the first inning then settle in, I'd prefer to settle in — but he did his job tonight, no doubt."
Tennessee Tech (20-20) starter Evan Fraliex (4-2) entered Saturday's game with a 5.50 ERA, but had a quality start against the toughest lineup he has faced all year, giving up just two runs on eight hits with four strikeouts in 5.1 innings pitched.
Although ASU appeared to have a beat on Fraliex from the onset, the Sun Devils could not scratch a run until the fifth inning when shortstop Colby Woodmansee hit a two-out double to bring home Johnny Sewald, who stole his 18th base in 22 tries to put himself in scoring position.
The run in the fifth inning got the wheels rolling as ASU followed up with a three-run sixth.
David Greer, who has made the most of his opportunity at third, hit his second home run, a solo shot, to tie the game. A single, stolen base and sac fly later, Fraliex's day was done.
Freshman righty Travis Moths (3-3) took over on the mound for Tennessee Tech and gave up a two-run home run to the first batter he faced, pinch-hitter RJ Ybarra.
ASU has made a living out of comeback wins, but it just did not happen tonight.
"Downside is it's a home loss against a lower RPI team, and I don't like that," Smith said. "But it didn't happen in conference. If we're going to have this type of game, I'd rather not have it in conference where it matters. I'm disappointed, I know (the team) is disappointed. Tennessee Tech flat out beat us tonight...they got the result they deserved."
After Kellogg exited, ASU's bullpen did its job as senior Darin Gillies pitched an inning of relief and freshman Andrew Shaps added a third of an inning before the ninth inning disaster.
Four of five Tennessee Tech runs came with two outs.
ASU will go for its ninth series win in 10 tries in the rubber match on Sunday at 12:30.
Reach the reporter at Justin.Toscano@asu.edu or follow @justintoscano3 on Twitter.
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