It was a long shot at best that Arizona would be able to take a series at the top team in the Big 12, but any chance of that went out the window when one of its most consistent players came out of the game early.
Sophomore right-hander Smith Bailey lasted only two innings in Saturday’s 7-2 loss at No. 11 Kansas, removed for precautionary reasons according to coach Chip Hale.
“Smith wasn’t feeling great,” Hale said on the ESPN Plus broadcast, not elaborating on if it were an injury or illness. “Get
him out of there, check him out back in Tucson, make sure everything’s okay, be very careful.
Bailey, who two weeks ago won Big 12 and NCBWA Pitcher of the Week honors after striking out a career-high 15 over six one-hit innings against Kansas State, allowed a run on three hits with a walk and strikeout. He threw 37 pitches.
The 1st-inning run upped his ERA in the opening frame to 13.50 this season in Big 12 games. After the 1st it’s been 4.55.
Kansas (36-11, 19-4 Big 12) put the game away with a 4-run 4th inning against reliever Patrick Morris, starting the frame with three straight doubles and a home run. The Jayhawks added two runs in the 8th.
Arizona (16-29, 7-16) scored on a double play ball in the 6th and RBI double in the 9th by Caleb Danzeisen, who had two of the Wildcats’ six hits. The UA, which has lost five in a row, was 0 for 12 with runners in scoring position and are 0 for 19 in that scenario this weekend.
