Stars can’t catch up to Fresno

Friday, July 31, 1998 | 10:35 a.m.

FRESNO --- One night after narrowing their gap with Pacific Coast League South Division-leading Fresno to nine games, the Las Vegas Stars once again find themselves staring at double digits in the games behind leader column.

The Stars dropped back to 10 games behind the Grizzlies with just 39 games left to be played after dropping a 10-4 decision here Thursday night.

Las Vegas (53-52) fell behind 5-0 after three innings but came back to cut the Fresno lead to 5-4 with a four-run fourth that included back-to-back home runs by shortstop Greg LaRocca and third baseman George Arias. It was the 29th of the season for Arias who needs just four more homers to break the team single-season mark of 32 set by Kevin McReynolds in 1983.

Fresno (62-41) broke the game open with a five-run fifth that featured the first triple-A homer of the season by right fielder Jalal Leach and a two-run homer by left fielder Keith Williams. Williams' home run came on the first pitch by Stars' reliever Kevin Lomon.

Stars' starter Brad Kaufman saw his record fall to 8-8 after yielding nine runs (seven earned) in just four innings on the mound. Right-hander Randy Phillips (2-2), making just his fourth start after being recalled from double-A Shreveport, picked up the win for Fresno.

The series continues tonight with Stan Spencer pitching for the Stars against Fresno right-hander Joe Roa.