Red Raiders Fall to Last Place In Big 12

LUBBOCK, Texas – Kansas State turned a two-run lead into a blowout with a six-run fifth inning and handed Texas Tech its seventh straight loss on Friday night as the Red Raiders fell to last place in the Big 12 standings with a 12-4 thumping at the hands of the Wildcats.

The loss drops Texas Tech (17-22) to five games below .500 and marks the first seven-game losing streak since 1987.  Kansas State improved to 17-19 and jumped the Red Raiders in the Big 12 standings after coming into Friday night’s game in 10^th place.

For the 10^th time in Big 12 play, the Red Raiders fell behind early and this time it was AJ Ramos to blame as the junior right-hander walked the first four batters of the game and all four ended up crossing the plate.  Ramos was chased away in the top of the second inning after allowing a leadoff double to nine-hole hitter Brett Scott. 

The Texas Tech offense had some luck in the first inning as well as the Red Raiders scored four runs of their own to tie the game at 4-4.  Tech pounded out six hits in the inning including RBI hits by Roger Kieschnick, Chris Richburg, Joey Kenworthy and Jason Seefeld.

Unfortunately, that would be it for the Red Raiders.

Kansas State reliever Thomas Rooke (4-1) entered the game with two outs the second inning in relief of Brad Hutt and was spectacular the rest of the way.  Rooke shutout the Red Raiders over the next 7 1/3 innings and only allowed three total hits and struckout five.

Brett Scott regained the lead for Kansas State in the top of the fifth when he drove home Drew Biery on an RBI groundout.  Jordan Cruz made it 6-4 with an RBI triple that bounced off the wall in center field.

The Wildcats blew the game wide open in the top of the fifth as they pounded out six runs on three hits and took a 12-4 lead.  The inning included a three-run home run by Nate Tenbrink who blasted a shot over the monster in center field.

Brian Cloud (1-1) took the loss for the Red Raiders as he gave up four runs on four hits over three innings of relief work. 

Texas Tech will try to snap their losing skid on tomorrow afternoon as the Red Raiders and Wildcats play game-two of the this three-game series.  First pitch at Dan Law Field is set for 3 p.m.  United States Senator John Cornyn will throw out the ceremonial first pitch.

                                                                                                      R     H     E

Kansas State           400       260       000                               12   11   0

Texas Tech              400       000       000                               4      10   2

WP = Thomas Rooke (4-1)

LP = Brian Cloud (1-1)

SV = None

(Courtesy: Texas Tech)