Sunday, April 12, 1998 | 9:16 a.m.
What a difference a day makes.
Friday, the Las Vegas Stars seemed to do nothing wrong at the plate as they erupted for 20 runs on 19 hits. This included an eight-run inning and batting around the lineup on twice. Saturday, despite registering 12 hits, the Stars only managed to score two runs in being defeated by the Calgary Cannons 4-2 at Cashman Field in front of an announced crowd of 3,301. Not getting the timely hit proved costly, with the Stars loading the bases three times and failing to score. They stranded 10 runners and hit into two crucial double plays. "Actually, the problem was timing.", Stars' manager Jerry Royster said. "We had 12 hits. When we couldn't score with the bases loaded three times in the first five innings, I knew it would be a long night." The Cannons were limited to six hits by Las Vegas' pitching as three different hurlers combined to strike out 14 batters.
Two of Calgary's hits were big blows. Mario Valdez drilled a two-run home run in the first to put Calgary ahead 2-0 and in the sixth inning, Olmedo Saenz had a two-run blast give the Cannons a four-run advantage. Other than giving up both long balls, Las Vegas starter Kevin Lomon looked sharp. He struckout 11 batters in seven innings of work, only scattering five hits.
The Stars offense gave Lomon no support. In the second inning, Ruben Rivera singled to start the rally and Greg LaRocca added a bloop single to put runners on the corners. Chris Prieto walked to load the bases for Dave Hajek with two outs. Hajek proceeded to fly out to center to end the threat and leave three runners on base. Hajek was the goat again for the Stars in the fourth inning. Juan Melo had an infield single, LaRocca was hit by a pitch and Prieto had an infield single to load the bases for Hajek with one out. This time, Hajek grounded into a double play to end the inning.
The Stars' managed to break through in the eighth. Eddie Williams and Mandy Romero had back-to-back singles to ignite the run. Rivera was next, and he pounded a shot to dead away center that hit off of the top of the center field wall. Rivera's double would score the two runners and cut the Stars' deficit to 4-2. Royster was impressed with Rivera's blast. "He just needed to get a big hit, Royster said of his 24-year old prospect, who entered the game hitless in 12 at bats. For Ruben, if he can come through with some clutch hits, he can get his confidence up. Hopefully, hell start hitti ng like he can."
Bobby Howry came in to pitch the final inning and 1/3 for Calgary to pick up the save and deny the Stars of any come from behind win. Nelson Cruz earned the win for the Cannons, throwing five scoreless innings.
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