Las Vegas Stars scorecard

Friday, May 30, 1997 | 11:44 a.m.

Colorado Springs right fielder Angel Echevarria hit a grand slam in the top of the ninth Thursday night to give the Sky Sox their second straight victory over the Stars at Cashman Field, 12-7. The big blast came off losing reliever Todd Schmitt (4-1) and broke open a 7-7 contest. The Stars jumped to a quick lead with four runs in the first inning and held a 6-2 advantage when starter Kerry Taylor left after six innings. Taylor gave up his earned runs on seven hits and three walks, but struck out eight. Las Vegas' bullpen then combined to surrender 10 runs -- seven earned -- on seven hits and five walks with only one strikeout. Shortstop Jorge Velandia hit his second home run of the season and catcher Eric Helfand smacked his fourth to tie the game at 7 in the eighth. ... The Padres signed a pair of 6-foot-8, right-handed pitchers Thursday in Bobby Munoz and Bob Scanlan and assigned them to Las Vegas. Munoz started the season with the Philadelphia Phillies. After a 1-5 start with an 8.91 ERA, he was demoted to Scranton Wilkes-Barre of the International League, but refused to report and became a free agent. Scanlan, a six-year major leaguer, was released by the Kansas City Royals in spring training. Last year with the Royals, he was 0-1 with a 3.18 ERA in nine games. ... Pitcher Marshall Boze was released. Boze started and got the loss in the Stars' 21-5 debacle Wednesday. He was 0-7 with a 7.62 ERA with 29 walks and 44 strikeouts in 52 innings.

Upcoming games

The Stars will send left-hander Dave Zancanaro (0-2, 14.46) to the mound tonight at 7:05 to face Colorado Springs right-hander Nate Minchey (6-2, 4.79) in the third of the four-game set.

In the final game of the series Saturday night, at 7:05, Stars right-hander Jim Bruske (5-2, 3.95) is scheduled to start against Sky Sox right-hander Joel Moore (1-0, 5.40).

By Tim Graham

Attendance

Thursday's crowd: 3,708

Season total: 122,856 (30 dates)

Average per date: 4,095

Taylor