No relief in sight in LV loss at Colorado

Friday, June 27, 1997 | 11:17 a.m.

COLORADO SPRINGS -- Las Vegas' bullpen blew an 8-3 lead as Colorado Springs rallied for seven runs in the seventh inning to hand the Stars a 12-8 defeat Thursday night at Sky Sox Park.

Stars starter Paul Menhart took a five-run lead into the seventh but gave up three hits and a fielder's choice to allow one run and was replaced by Brian Drahman. Drahman walked the only batter he faced to load the bases and was relieved by Steve Mintz.

Mintz gave up a two-run single to Angel Echevarria that allowed the Sky Sox to pull to within two, 8-6. After striking out a batter, Mintz gave up an RBI single to Jason Bates and three-run, pinch-hit home run to Dann Howitt as Colorado Springs took a 10-8 lead.

The Sky Sox added two runs off Mintz (1-1) in the eighth to produce the 12-8 final.

Echevarria, Velazquez and Howitt each drove in three runs for the Sky Sox while Counsell had a pair of RBIs.

The loss overshadowed an outstanding offensive performance by Stars shortstop Juan Melo, who was 4-for-5 with a three-run home run. It was Melo's first home run since joining the Stars last week. Las Vegas second baseman Steve Scarsone was 3-for-4 with a double and one RBI and catcher Eric Helfand had two doubles and drove in a run.

The loss was the second in a row for Las Vegas and dropped the Stars' record in the second half to 6-3. Colorado Springs improved to 4-5.

The series continues tonight at 6:05 with Stars right-hander Marino Castillo facing Sky Sox right-hander John Hope.

archive