STARKVILLE — In 5 2/3 innings, Kentucky’s starting pitcher Zach Logue had allowed Mississippi State first baseman Brent Rooker to hit a single, a first-pitch grand slam and a solo home run.
When Rooker came to the plate in the bottom of the sixth inning, Kentucky had seen enough: coach Nick Mingione, who coached Rooker as recently as last season, brought Chris Machamer out of the bullpen to face Rooker.
Rooker promptly homered off of Machamer, too.
Rooker’s three home runs, the first time a MSU batter did so since Ryan Duffy did it in April 2010, propelled No. 22 MSU (21-12, 7-4 Southeastern Conference) to a 10-6 win over No. 13 Kentucky (22-10, 8-3). The Bulldogs will host the Wildcats in a rubber match Sunday at 1 p.m.
Kentucky learned its lesson in Rooker’s next at-bat, intentionally walking him to load the bases in the bottom of the eighth. Shortstop Ryan Gridley followed with a two-RBI single, pushing MSU’s lead to six.
Rooker is on pace to be named the Southeastern Conference Player of the Week for the second week in a row. Including the two midweek games against Florida International, Rooker is now 9 for 14 (.643) with six home runs, 13 RBI this week and a 1.929 slugging percentage.
Rooker’s second-inning grand slam swung the game after Kentucky scored three in the top of the first. Cody Brown led the inning off with a home run to right field and Tanner Poole brought the Bulldogs within one with his sacrifice fly that scored Luke Alexander.
MSU never trailed after Rooker’s grand slam, getting more support from Rooker’s next two home runs.
In Rooker’s shadow, Gridley, Brown and second baseman Hunter Stovall also had multi-hit games, each recording two hits.
The first inning was the only rough spot for MSU starting pitcher Cole Gordon. After allowing a single, a double, a home run and a walk in the first, Gordon retired nine of the next 11 batters he faced to get to the top of the fifth. Gordon walked the leadoff batter and exited for Jacob Barton, who forced a flyout and a double play to end the inning.
Barton, the team’s usual long reliever, was followed by Peyton Plumlee, who gave MSU two scoreless innings. Plumlee’s successor, Denver McQuary, put the first two batters of the ninth on base with consecutive singles, but Riley Self took over and recorded the final three outs to close the game.
Follow Dispatch sports writer Brett Hudson on Twitter, @Brett_Hudson
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