Stars defeat Canadians 7-1

Monday, April 20, 1998 | 9:34 a.m.

VANCOUVER, British Columbia -- Creighton Gubanich drove in four runs and Heath Murray limited Vancouver to one run in seven innings as the Las Vegas Stars handed the Canadians a 7-1 defeat Sunday at Nat Bailey Stadium.

The Stars won three of four from the Canadians and improved their season record to 7-5. Vancouver fell to 4-8 with the loss.

Gubanich broke a scoreless tie with a two-run double in the Stars' four-run fourth inning, knocked in another run in the fifth with a run-scoring fielder's choice and added the Stars' final run in the seventh with a sacrifice fly.

Murray (1-1) scattered nine hits, walked two and struck out three in seven innings and pitched out of jams in the sixth and seventh innings. The Canadians had runners at first and second with one out in the sixth but couldn't capitalize.

Vancouver put runners at second and third with no outs in the seventh but Murray struck out Justin Baughman, got Jovino Carvajal to pop out and Troy Neel to line out to end the inning.

Bubba Dixon retired the Canadians in the eighth and Dario Veras did the same in the ninth to secure the victory.

The Stars have a day off today before opening a four-game series at Calgary beginning Tuesday at 5:05 p.m. Right-hander Matt Clement is scheduled to face Cannons left-hander Jim Parque in the series opener.