Gm 18 - at Az St (1 of 2)

[SB Shock]

The 11-6 Shockers travel to Arizona St. (9-8) for two game who is off to a disappointing start. So far pitching has been pretty good and consistent for WSU. But the offense is all over the place. WSU is now 2-5 in 1 run games.

Right now by the Pythag calculation WSU should be 14-3 to 13-4 for the season - but their performance in 1 run games and their defensive play is the difference.

[SB Shock]

Comparison of Stats (WSU in parenthesis)

BA: 0.290 (0.296)
OBP: 0.367 (0.370)
SLG: 0.394 (0.424)
HR: 6 in 17 games (11 in 17 games)
SB: 14 out 20 (16 out 22)
Fielding: 0.963 (0.966)

One advantage I see Arizona State has over WSU is they had good hitters in 7 out 9 slots who are hitting 0.300 or better. WSU has 2 good hitters (Gillaspie and Bayliff [could count Kihle but he is out]) and rest are just average to below average. Chase Simpson has been disappointing with 0.246/0.268/0.368 so far this season.


ERA: 4.06 (2.38)
WHIP: 1.28 (1.14)
K/9: 7.9 (7.1)

WSU looks to have the advantage pitching wise. Brett Lilek is just un-hittable for Az St with 0.96 ERA and WHIP of 0.71. If he pitches for them WSU will probably lose as they struggle with consistency, but hopefully he will be held out for the weekend. But after him all their starters have ERA >4.00 and their bullpen looks to have struggled.

[shocks02]

http://pac-12.com/videos/arizona-state-university?DB_OEM_ID=30300

There may or may not be a free video stream for the game tonight and tomorrow.

[Play Angry]

I'm impressed that ASU leads the overall series 15-7.

Here's hoping Kris has his best stuff tonight.

[tru2thaduce]

Gardner off to a tough start.2-0 Sun Devils.

[tru2thaduce]

We leave 2 on base in the second.

[tru2thaduce]

Gardner struggling with control.And he's out after another walk.3-0.

[Cdizzle]

blegh. Just not a lot of fun to listen to the last few years.

[SB Shock]

blegh. Just not a lot of fun to listen to the last few years.

Nope it isn't. It used to be so much fun, because regardless of the score you knew they might come back. But now, they get down by 3 it feels like game is over.

[tru2thaduce]

Keep the faith.Gillaspie got us on the board.If Palmer can hols them here we can chip away.

[tru2thaduce]

It would be nice to see us put a few more balls in play or at least foul a few off with 2 strikes.

[SB Shock]

Overall (beside Casey G), this is just not a very good hitting team. It was probably to much to expect that changing the coaching staff would magically change these guys stripes.

[SB Shock]

Shox trail 6-1, top of 6

[SB Shock]

Shockers not dead yet, trail 6-4 in the 6th with the help of ASU error

[SB Shock]

Top of 9th, Shox trailing 9-4