Las Vegas Stars scorecard

Friday, Aug. 1, 1997 | 10:18 a.m.

Stars manager Jerry Royster said Thursday that relief pitcher Joey Long "probably" is out for the season with a tender elbow. Long, the lone left-hander in the Stars' bullpen, had no record and a 4.82 ERA in 16 appearances. ... Starting pitcher Rafael Medina, who left his last start after pitching four scoreless innings with a blister on his pitching hand, is being backed up in the rotation to give the blister a chance to heal. Medina is scheduled to start Monday against Colorado Springs. ... Royster said he wasn't sure when Stan Spencer, who was forced to leave his last start with a groin pull, will be able to make his next start. ... Infielder Terry Shumpert ended his rehabilitation assignment with the Stars and has returned to the San Diego Padres. ... Royster said that outfielder Ruben Rivera likely will make his first start in the outfield tonight. Rivera has been limited to designated hitter duty as he recovers from shoulder surgery this spring. Rivera was acquired by the Padres from the New York Yankees in the Hideki Irabu trade. ... Doug Dascenzo, who made an appearance as a pinch-runner Thursday but did not bat in the game, has a 12-game hitting streak.

Upcoming games

The Stars will send right-hander Marino Castillo (2-4, 4.69) to the mound tonight to face Edmonton right-hander Chris Nichting (5-10, 8.26) in the second game of the series tonight at 7:05.

The pitching matchups for the remainder of the series (Stars pitcher listed first): Kerry Taylor (6-6, 3.71) vs. Andrew Lorraine (7-6, 5.12) Saturday at 7:05 p.m. and Paul Menhart (4-12, 6.37) vs. Bobby Chouinard (4-6, 7.09) Sunday at 7:05 p.m.

By Brian Hilderbrand

Attendance

Thursday's crowd: 5,830

Season total: 239,949 (53 dates)

Average per date: 4,527