Rain helps Stars get much needed rest

Steve Guiremand

Thursday, May 14, 1998 | 7:26 a.m.

The Las Vegas Stars were rained out at Cashman Field for only the eighth time in their 16 year history on Wednesday night. And, all things considered, the timing probably couldn't have been better.

There were more than a few bloodshot eyes in the Stars' locker room. The team had a 5 a.m. wakeup call (3 a.m. Las Vegas time) to catch a flight home from Memphis. After a change of planes in Dallas, the Stars landed in Las Vegas shortly after 11 a.m.

Because of the long flight back, Stars manager Jerry Royster cancelled batting practice before Wednesday's game so his squad could rest up for its home opener with the Tucson Sidewinders. The players weren't required to be at the ballpark until just an hour before the 7 p.m. start time.

"It's a just-show-up-and-conserve-as-much-energy-as-we-can kind of day," Royster said.

Many Stars players had just finished dressing and gone out for stretching when a downpour hit Cashman Field. The steady rain continued for about 40 minutes and left several puddles on the infield dirt.

Stars general manager Don Logan and Royster surveyed the situation and decided it would be best to postpone the contest. The game will be made up as part of a doubleheader on Sept. 1 when Tucson returns to Cashman Field for another series.

"You can't do much on the field after a rain like that," Royster said. "This (the postponement) is fine. It could be a blessing in disguise."

"We probably could have gotten the field ready, but we probably wouldn't have been able to start the game until about 9:30," Logan said. "We've got seven more games here with that team. We have ample time to make the game up."

There were only about 100 fans in the stands at the time the game was called.

Fans with tickets for Wednesday night's game can exchange them for tickets to another contest at the Stars ticket office.

Stars righthander Matt Clement (4-2, 2.18), who was to have started Wednesday night, will start tonight's 7 p.m. contest instead against Tucson righthander Bob Wolcott.

* STARS NOTES: The long anticipated debut of Mexican League pitching star Roberto Ramirez could come as early as tonight. The 25-year-old lefthander, the object of a bitter signing battle between the San Diego Padres and Colorado Rockies, finally has received his work visa and was activated prior to Wednesday night's rainout. "He's ready to go," Stars manager Jerry Royster said. "He threw batting practice and also a simulated game for us on the road." Ramirez will pitch out of the bullpen. ... To make room for Ramirez, the Stars put outfielder Chris Prieto back on the 7-day disabled list. Prieto, sidelined much of the season with a nerve injury in his thumb, had to be taken to the emergency room after a Stars game in Memphis because of complications from his pain medicine. Prieto has been experiencing bouts of dizzyness and nauseousness. "He's definitely having some kind of reaction," Royster said. "The main thing now is just to get him well again." ... The move of putting Chris Prieto on the DL and activating Ramirez means the Stars have only 11 every day players on their 23-man roster. With utilityman Greg LaRocca (split finger nail) unable to play for another couple of days, that means Royster will have only two pinch-hitters/reserves on the bench. "The entire organization is short," said Royster when asked if help could be on the way. "Double-A is short, too. We might end up eventually having to pull a guy off our extended spring training roster to help fill in."