Sidewinders defeat Stars, 4-2

Monday, June 29, 1998 | 10:07 a.m.

TUCSON --- The first of six Las Vegas Stars televised games is tonight when the Stars finish a four-game road trip here against the Tucson Sidewinders (7 p.m., KFBT Ch. 33 and Cable 6).

Fortunately for Jerry Royster and company, Sunday night's 4-2 loss to the Sidewinders wasn't viewed back home in Las Vegas.

The Stars (36-38) managed just seven hits and one extra-base hit against four Tucson pitchers en route to the loss. Meanwhile, Las Vegas starter Brad Kaufman (4-7), who allowed just four singles over five shutout innings, ran out of gas in the 105-degree Tucson heat and walked the bases loaded in the sixth. All three of those runs eventually came in and scored.

Sidewinder third baseman Edwin Diaz had a pair of doubles, including one in the sixth to drive in two runs. Garry Maddox Jr.'s pinch-hit sacrifice fly in that same inning drove in left fielder Mike Stoner with what proved to be the game-winning run.

The Stars blew an excellent offensive opportunity in the sixth when they loaded the bases with just one out. But after James Mouton walked to force in a run, PCL RBI-leader George Arias struck out and Jason Thompson grounded back to the pitcher to end the threat.

Following tonight's game, the Stars return to Cashman Field to open a four-game series with the Nashville Sounds.