Sun Devils drop first game of rivalry series in high-scoring affair

If you like great pitching, Friday's showdown in Phoenix Municipal Stadium was not for you.

No. 24 Arizona State kicked off their weekend series against in-state rival Arizona, a three-game stretch that promises to have far-reaching implications in the Big 12 race, as well as being another installment in a historic rivalry.

Through one game, the advantage went to the Wildcats, though neither side should feel particularly good after watching batters round the bases all night long. Still, the Wildcats took the first game 8-5.

Arizona's offense, which has been anemic of late, got off on the right foot. Their second batter of the night launched a solo home run, putting the Wildcats up 1-0 and marking a disappointing start for Sun Devils ace Ben Jacobs.

Arizona State responded in kind, though. Nu'u Contrades drove in a run with a double in the bottom of the first to tie things up. Two frames later, Kyle Walker came home thanks to a single from Landon Hairston. In the fourth, Isaiah Jackson notched an RBI single right before Kien Vu drove in another run on a bunt, upping the Sun Devils' lead to 4-1.

All the while, Jacobs settled into a groove. After the home run in the first, Jacobs struck out eight batters while yielding just three hits and stranding each one of them on base. It looked as if Arizona State was about to take control of the game, with their lefty dealing and the bats scoring in three of their four frames to that point.

Then came the fifth inning.

After two quick outs, Jacobs walked a batter, He followed that up by hitting the next one before a single loaded up the bases. Head coach Willie Bloomquist showed his trust in Jacobs, leaving the ace out there to get the one out needed to end the inning, but it didn't happen.

Jacobs surrendered three straight singles after that, with the Wildcats plating four runs in the process. He finally got the third out via a pickoff at second base, but the Sun Devils had given up the lead.

Then it was their turn for a two-out rally. Contrades reached on a double, and Jacob Tobias plunked the ball down the right field line for another double, bringing Contrades home and knotting things up.

Bloomquist then pulled Jacobs for Wyatt Halvorson, who delivered a no-hit sixth inning. He had less success in the seventh, though, giving up a two-run homer and, shortly after that, an RBI triple. In the blink of an eye, Arizona State was down 8-5.

That's when the Wildcats' bullpen, which came into this game ranked 38th in the nation in team ERA, took over. The Sun Devils offense was unable to connect on anything, getting just one hit over the final three frames. It proved to be the difference maker, as Arizona held on for the win and the save.

It was a disappointing night for Jacobs, who tossed 10 strikeouts but gave up five runs over five innings pitched. Even so, Arizona State had the lead when he was pulled, but Halvorson's slippery pitching in the seventh broke the levee.

The Sun Devils will need to win tomorrow's game to avoid dropping the series, but they should feel good about their chances with Jack Martinez set to take the mound. Still, the pressure is mounting in a must-win game on Saturday.