Here’s what went down Friday on Gambo & Ash…

Stayin’ Alive!…The ASU baseball team got a big come-from-behind win in their elimination game Thursday night against North Carolina as Kole Calhoun hit a grand slam and drove in six in the win.  Pat Murphy got another solid outing from Josh Spence and is now faced with a decision when they play Texas later Friday afternoon.  Does he pitch ace Mike Leake on just two days rest or go with Seth Blair or another well-rested starter?  Gambo feels in a back-against-the-wall situation like they’re in, Leake has to go, even on short rest.  Ash leaned towards Blair simply because Leake struggled against the exact same team just two days earlier and Blair gives you the fresh arm and different look to the Longhorn hitters.

In Kole We Trust…ASU outfielder Kole Calhoun doesn’t appear to be your typical college baseball player.  He’s short, pudgy, and has red hair and freckles.  The former Yavapai College outfielder has been the Devils’ most consistent hitter in the post-season.  The junior, who struggled at the plate at the beginning of the season, was nearly kicked off the team by Murphy.  Now, he has a decision to make-come back for his senior year or sign a free-agent deal with a major league team?

Refund…The U.S. Open resumed Friday afternoon after play was suspended for most of Thursday due to poor weather.  42,500 fans who attended the event were initially told they would not be refunded their money.  The USGA has since rescinded their decision, saying paid ticket holders would be able to attend if play was extended to Monday or would receive half of their money back if play ends Sunday.

New York Meeting…Steve Kerr flew to New York to meet with Steve Nash and discuss his future with the Suns.  Gambo reported Nash wants to stay with the Suns - as long as they’re not in a re-building mode.  This puts the Suns in an interesting position.  Make one more run with the current roster or trade away major pieces (Nash, Shaq) and build from scratch?  Ash has been calling for the Suns to deal the 2-time MVP point guard for quite some time.  Gambo feels the team’s main goal is to remain competitive and, in essence, relevant in the Arizona sports scene.

Suns Senior Vice President of Basketball Operations DAVE GRIFFIN joined the guys IN-STUDIO to discuss the draft next week and what they might do with their three picks (14th, 48th, and 57th) and what he expects to see during Saturday’s pre-draft workouts at U.S. Airways Center featuring Louisville’s Earl Clark and Gonzaga’s Austin Daye among others.

We caught up with Diamondbacks third baseman MARK REYNOLDS in Seattle as the D-backs prepare for the first of their three-game set against the Mariners later at Safeco Field.  Reynolds discussed his approach at the plate (he’s on pace to break his own all-time MLB strikeout record he set last season) and how his average and power numbers have steadily increased over the season.  He’s hitting .275 with 18 homers this season.

To K or not to K…Mark Reynolds is on pace to hit 44 homers and drive in 116 runs this season.  The bad news is the D-backs’ third baseman is set to strikeout an estimated 234 times.  G&A aren’t quite sure how to describe Reynolds as a player.  Is he on the verge of stardom or just a solid everyday Major League Baseball player?  Ash says Reynolds compares favorably to Adam Dunn as the numbers are similar, even if the styles aren’t.  Dunn looks the part as a strapping power-hitter in the middle of the lineup.  You wouldn’t see the same in Reynolds who A.J. Hinch calls the best all-around athlete on the team.

Change of Scenery…The Diamondbacks announced they will relocate their spring training operations following the 2010 exhibition season.  Next year will be the final year of spring training baseball in Tucson.  G&A could see this coming for quite some time.  Ash sees the only real drawback being a lack of “team unity” when the players will likely return home to their Phoenix houses after their work day ends.

Tangled Webb…D-backs’ ace Brandon Webb returned to Phoenix to see a specialist regarding his injured shoulder.  Gambo is thinking Webby is likely gone for the year and why rush him back with the season all but lost at this point, anyway?  He had thought the D-backs had hoped Webb would be healthy with the trade deadline just around the corner.  Ash had this pinpointed after Webb’s disappointing season-opening start against Colorado saying something wasn’t right with the former Cy Young Award winner.

 

 Dave Griffin [18:54m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (25)

 

 Mark Reynolds [9:34m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (15)