Wednesday, April 22, 1998 | 9:15 a.m.
SUN STAFF REPORTS
CALGARY --- Matt Clement is human after all.
The 23-year-old right-hander from Butler, Pa., who allowed just five hits and two earned runs in 14 innings while cruising to two victories in his first two triple-A starts, struggled in start number three Tuesday night before a crowd of 4,148 at Burns Stadium.
Clement (2-1) yielded just five hits and three earned runs in six-plus innings on the mound, but walked four batters, hit two more, uncorked a wild pitch and was called for two balks while picking up the loss as Las Vegas dropped a 5-4 decision to the host Calgary Cannons.
With the game tied 4-4 in the bottom of the seventh, Calgary right fielder Jason Evans led off with an opposite field double to left and advanced to third on center fielder Brian Simmons' bloop infield single. Clement was relieved by left-hander Alan Newman, who got first baseman Mario Valdez to ground out to first, but Evans crossed the plate on the play with what proved to be the winning run.
It was a sloppy night for the Stars (7-6), who committed four errors, including three by second baseman Dave Hajek. Catcher Mandy Romero was called for catchers' interference and Las Vegas grounded into three double plays.
Hajek partially atoned for his miscues with a two-run home run in the seventh that tied the contest 4-4. He also singled, walked and scored another run.
The Stars continue their series with the Cannons here tonight with right-hander Donne Wall (2-0) opposing Calgary right-hander Russ Herbert (0-1).
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