Prieto twins make history with stars

Tuesday, May 12, 1998 | 9:42 a.m.

MEMPHIS --- It was a history making night for the Las Vegas Stars on Monday as identical twins Chris and Rick Prieto started for the first time on the same team in professional baseball.

Unfortunately for Jerry Royster and company, it also was another losing night.

The Memphis Redbirds (18-13), taking advantage of several Las Vegas fielding miscues and the standout pitching of Manny Aybar, made it six straight wins over the Stars (16-15) with a 4-1 victory before a crowd of 4,267 at Tim McCarver Stadium.

Chris Prieto, playing for the first time since early April because of a nerve problem in his thumb, started the game in left field and struck out. He left an inning later because he was still woozy from medication for his injury.

Rick Prieto, called up from double-A Mobile to fill Chris' roster spot when he went on the disabled list, started in right field and played the entire game, going 0-for-4.

Stars officials believe it is the first time that identical twins have started and played for the same team in a professional game.

Still, it turned out to be just an interesting footnote to another Stars' loss.

Las Vegas managed just four hits. The only Stars run came in the second inning on a sacrifice fly by Ruben Rivera, which drove in first baseman George Arias, who had opened the inning with an infield single.

Memphis tied the game in the fourth on a home run by third baseman Roberto Mejia. The Redbirds then took advantage of a throwing error by third baseman Greg LaRocca to push across two runs in the sixth on a two-out bloop single by second baseman Placido Polanco.

Stars' starter Heath Murray (2-2) pitched well in the loss, allowing just seven hits and one earned run in 6 1/3 innings. He walked four and struck out a season-high 10 batters.