No. 11 Red Raiders down New Mexico in midweek contest

It was a tail of two half-innings Wednesday afternoon.

Texas Tech starter Brendan Girton threw seven total pitches to get out of the top of the first, while New Mexico needed two pitchers and allowed four runs before they recorded three outs to end the inning.

The No. 11 Red Raiders added a second straight crooked inning to creating a seven-run lead, which proved to be enough as the bullpen kept the Lobos' lineup in check on the way to a 10-4 victory at Dan Law Field at Rip Griffin Park.

"I'd say we started off well," Texas Tech catcher Braxton Fulford, who finished 1-for-4 with three RBI. "Our approach was to win every pitch and stay focused every pitch. Not give up any outs, easily. I think we did a decent job of that today.

"We had good at-bats and played well overall I'd say."

The triumph means Texas Tech (28-10) will return to Big 12 Conference play coming off a win over New Mexico (9-17). This followed a 13-3 loss to Baylor on Sunday.

"I'd say we responded well," Fulford said. "We came out here ready to play. Obviously, Dru led off the game with a great at-bat. He showed some resilience there. And I think as a team that's kind of what we need to get in that box, defense, offense and and just battle.

"We need some more of that."

Girton ensured the tone was set early, pounding the strike zone which led to three groundouts and returning the side in order on seven pitches.

New Mexico starter Nathaniel Garley did not have the same type of performance, allowing three earned runs — including a two-run home run from TTU's Cal Conley — before he was pulled in 2/3 of an inning as the Lobos trailed 4-0 after one complete.

Texas Tech added three more in the second before a pair of goose eggs, and UNM scratching across a run toward a 7-1 advantage after four. 

In what looked like a movie scene, with the rain coming down hard and play not stopping, Cody Masters saw a 1-2 pitch he liked and drove it over the right-field fence for a solo home run in the fifth to spark the Red Raiders' third crooked inning of the contest.

Max Marusak, who made a highlight-worthy defensive gem in the third, drove in his first run of the season by hitting an RBI double down the left-field line.

With rain starting to let up, Jace Jung — who was 0-for-3 — drew a six-pitch, bases-loaded walk to increase his streak of reaching base safely to 38 games. Jung also provided the Red Raiders with the final of three runs scored in the fifth to put Texas Tech up 10-1.

The Lobos recorded their fifth hit of the game after Mack Chambers hit a solo home run off the scoreboard in right-centerfield to put things at 10-2.

The Red Raider relievers kept things the same en route to a 22nd win at home.

"I  think anytime you can get them on the slope and get them in game competition, it should help," Tadlock said. "I was really proud of the way all of them threw the baseball. Some of them had some adversity, some didn't. Thought they handled that just fine and they continued to just try to execute pitches and control what they can control.

"Again, it's a nine-inning ball game. Thought the guys did a good job of competing today."

Adding to a record

With his bases-loaded walk, Jace Jung reached base safely for the 38th straight game. He trails Jamodrick McGruder who achieved the feat 39 times from May 23, 201-April 15, 2011.

Cameron Blair is the next player on the list, hitting safely in 53 consecutive games from May 22, 2004-May 16, 2005.

What's next?

Texas Tech (28-10, 8-7) is scheduled to take on No. 3 Texas (34-9, 12-3) in a three-game conference series, beginning with a 7 p.m. Friday contest. The Saturday and Sunday games are slated to have 2:30 p.m. start times.

NO. 11 TEXAS TECH 10, NEW MEXICO 4

New Mexico    000    101    002    —    4    8    1

Texas Tech    430    030    00x    —    10    9    2

Nathaniel Garley, Isiah Campa (1), Arthur Steinkamp (2), Aaron Makil (4), Chezzare Gonzales (5), Matt Haley (7), Will Armbruester (8) and Shane Podsednik; Brendan Girton, Chase Hampton (3), Eli Reichmann (4), Levi Wells (5), Hayde Key (7), Andrew Devine (8), Derek Bridges (8), Connor Queen (9) and Braxton Fulford. W — Girton (2-0). L — Garley (0-2). 2B — New Mexico, Jack Silverman 1 (1), Jacob Gutierrez 1 ; Texas Tech, Dru Baker 1 (7), Max Marusak 1 (2). 3B — New Mexico, None; Texas Tech, Dru Baker 1 (2). HR — New Mexico, Mack Chambers 1 (3). Texas Tech, Cal Conley 1 (9), Braxton Fulford 1 (9), Cody Masters 1 (6). Records: Texas Tech 28-10. New Mexico 9-17.