Stars pitchers fan 16 in debut vs Sounds

Wednesday, May 6, 1998 | 8:19 a.m.

SUN STAFF REPORTS

The Las Vegas Stars pitching staff made their first ever contest against the Nashville Sounds a memorable one Monday night at Greer Stadium, setting a team record for most strikeouts in a game in a 15-inning, 3-1, victory.

Paced by another stellar performance by starter Stan Spencer, who struck out 11 while allowing just five hits and one run in 8 2/3 innings before once again departing with a foot injury, the Stars staff amassed 16 strikeouts for the game, eclipsing the previous record of 15 accomplished twice during the 1993 season.

Still, for a while it looked like the outstanding pitching effort might be wasted.

The Sounds (8-16), thanks to a third inning home run by former Green Valley High star Chad Hermansen, held a 1-0 lead until the Stars scratched across a run in the fourth on an RBI single by third baseman George Arias.

The game remained tied until the 15th inning when center fielder Ruben Rivera and catcher Mandy Romero opened the inning with back-to-back walks. After shortstop Juan Melo popped out attempting to sacrifice, second baseman Dave Hajek singled to right off Nashville reliever Gary Wilson to drive in Rivera with the winning run. Aaron Guiel then drove in Romero with a fielders choice.

Hajek extended his hitting streak to 15 games with three hits in the contest.

Nashville made things interesting the bottom of the 15th against Stars reliever Paul Menhart. With one out, third baseman Aramis Ramirez was hit by a pitch and advanced to second on a single by right fielder Darrell Whitmore. One out later, pinch-hitter Tim Edge lined a drive to the right-center gap that right fielder Rick Prieto had to dive to snare to end the game.

The Stars (15-10) carry a four-game winning streak into today's game with the Sounds.