While the 51s seemed to be reeling from the loss of talent promoted to Toronto, they nonetheless showed they could win with what they had left on Friday night. And with Adeiny Hechavarria getting the call to Toronto, the 51s seem to be ready to keep the offence going with Mike McDade who brings a big bat to the plate and a great glove to first base. Time will tell if they can stay close to Sacramento in their division race in the Pacific Coast League. Let’s not slash our wrists just yet.
Adjusting to the recent promotions, the 51s offence and defence came together to beat Albuquerque behind 5.2 IP from Scott Richmond (8-6). Relievers Clint Everts, David Carpenter and Chad Beck came on to put the lights out for Albuquerque, shutting them out on no hits in the last 3.1 innings. Overall, Las Vegas pitching struck out 14 on the evening.
With the bats, Las Vegas managed 9 hits including a first AAA homer from Man Mountain Mike McDade who went 2 for 4 with 4 RBIs. Mike McCoy (2-5) and Adeiny Hechavarria (1-2, 3BB) also turned in RBIs on the evening. Newly acquired catcher Tuffy Gosewisch (2-3, 2B) stepped up with a pair of hits, including a double.
Outhit 11-9 and outscored by 3, the Fisher Cats dropped one with Deck McGuire taking his 12 loss of the year with 5.0 IP including a disaster in the first when he allowed 5 earned runs.
Brad Glen (1-3, 2B) and Ryan Schimpf (1-3) booked RBIs on the evening, while Brian Van Kirk went 3 for 4 and Ryan Goins went 2 for 4 with a double. Koby Clemens (1-4) turned in a double as well.
With the support of 9 hits from the offence, and 12 strikeouts from the pitching staff, the D-Jays downed Daytona with Sean Nolin (9-0) his ninth win without a loss. Kenny Wilson suffered 2 errors, his 2nd and 3rd of the year.
RBI king for Dunedin was Kevin Pillar (2-4, 3B) who batted in three. Jon Talley (2-3, 2B) also logged an RBI as did Kevin Ahrens (1-4). Marcus Knecht (2-4, 2B) turned in the other multi-hit game for Dunedin, smacking a single and a double.
Losing pitcher Jesses Hernandez (4-5) went 5.0 innings giving up 4 runs (3 earned) on 7 hits, and striking out 6. K.C. Hobson booted one for his 12th error of the season.
The Luggies loan RBI came from Hobson (2-4, 2B, 3B) who made his bat make us forget his 12th error of the season. Hobson’s RBI brings his total for the season to 71.
Vancouver had a hitfest, outslugging Eugene 10 to 2 while winning pitcher Ben White (3-4) turned in an impressive outing allowing just a single run on 2 hits while striking out 4 in 7.0 IP.
RBIs were turned in by Matt Newman (1-3), Jason Leblebijian (2-4, 2B) and Leo Hernandez (2-4). Ian Parmley got on base 4 of 5 times with three singles and a BB.
Bluefield vs Johnson City (Postponed)
Winning pitcher Alonzo Gonzalez (2-3) went 5.0 IP striking out 2 with 3 ER on 6 hits. The bullpen shut down the GCL Pirates, pitching hitless and shutout ball for the remaining 4 innings.
Nathan DeSouza (1-4) and Derrick Loveless (1-4) each batted in a pair with singles. Emilio Guerrero (2-4) had a multi-hit game including a double. D.J. Davis (1-5) had a double as well.
Three Stars
Third Star Pitching staff in Las Vegas – totaled 14 K’s on the evening
Second Star Kevin Pillar – 2-4 with a triple, 3 RBIs
First Star Man Mountain Mike McDade – 2-4, HR, 4 RBIs
