Monday, May 11, 2009 | 3:30 p.m.
The 51s couldn't finish off a four-game sweep of Sacramento on Monday afternoon at Cashman Field, falling to Sacramento, 12-7, but did sweep the Pacific Coast League's weekly awards.
First baseman Brett Harper was named the league's Player of the Week on Monday, while starting pitcher Fabio Castro -- recently promoted from Double-A New Hampshire -- was named Pitcher of the Week.
Harper is the main reason for Las Vegas's sudden upswing on offense. In 7 games last week, he was 13-of-31 at the plate, hitting 5 home runs, producing 10 RBI and ripping 4 doubles.
For the season, following a 1-for-4 showing on Monday, he's hitting .336 with 9 HR and 27 RBI.
Castro, since his promotion, has a 1.47 ERA in 3 starts for the 51s, including a 1-0 record.
That win came on Sunday, when he threw 6 shutout innings in a 9-1 pasting of the River Cats. In two starts last week, he didn't allow a run and struck out five while surrendering only 5 hits and 3 walks in 13 innings pitched.
Castro was acquired late last season from Philadelphia in exchange for outfielder Matt Stairs, who was key in helping the Phillies claim the World Series title.
Despite the matinee setback to Sacramento, Las Vegas has still won 5 of its last 7 games. Catcher J.P. Arencibia remained hot offensively, following up his 3 RBI performance on Sunday with a 3-run homer in the defeat.
The 51s, 11-21 following Monday's loss, now head to Tennessee for a pair of 4-game sets, first with Memphis, then with Nashville.
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