Las Vegas Stars scorecard — September 1, 1998

Tuesday, Sept. 1, 1998 | 9:49 a.m.

By Tim Graham

The Las Vegas Stars overcame the rain but could not do the same with the Tucson Sidewinders, losing 10-8 in 11 innings Monday night at Cashman Field. The Stars came from behind to tie the game twice, but failed to score after the eighth inning. Reliever Mike Rossiter was forced to pitch in the 11th when Bubba Dixon was hit in the hand by a batted ball. The Sidewinders jumped on Rossiter as Garry Maddox hit a bases-loaded single for the game-winning runs. ... Veteran minor-league slugger Bubba Smith blasted a three-run home run and Las Vegas reliever Al Newman walked in three runs in the seventh inning. Smith came up again in the seventh with the bases loaded and two away, but Newman struck him out. The Stars then tied the game at 7 in their half of the inning when left fielder James Mouton hit a three-run double off the right-field wall. ... Tonight's scheduled doubleheader was reduced to one game by the Pacific Coast League front office because neither the Stars nor the Sidewinders factor into the postseason. The extra game originally was added to make up for a May 13 rainout. ... To make room for infielder/outfielder John Vander Wal, who was acquired in a trade Monday, the San Diego Padres optioned infielder Ed Giovanola to Las Vegas. Giovanola hit .221 with one home run and nine RBIs in 84 games with the Padres. He will report to the Stars in Colorado Springs on Friday. ... Utilityman Archi Cianfrocco did not start for the second straight day because of a nagging back injury. He is listed as day-to-day. ... Maddox is the son of the former Philadelphia Phillies outfielder of the same name. ... Tucson first baseman Mike Robertson is a six-year Las Vegas resident. ... The Stars hit three doubles Monday, increasing their professional baseball-leading total to 318. Double-A El Paso, with its season complete, is second with 298. The Colorado Rockies lead the major leagues with 294. ... Pitcher Matt Clement needs only four strikeouts to break the Stars' single-season record of 161 set by Scott Sanders in 1993. He is next scheduled to pitch Thursday night.

Upcoming games

The Stars continue their final home series of the year tonight at 7:05 against the Tucson Sidewinders at Cashman Field as left-hander Heath Murray (8-11, 5.02) duels Tucson right-hander Bryan Corey (4-6, 4.92). On Wednesday, Brian Tollberg (6-5, 6.75) faces David Tuttle (1-1, 6.75) in a battle of righties. Right-hander Matt Clement (10-8, 3.91) opposes Sidewinders right-hander Fernando Hernandez (0-0, 6.75) in Thursday's finale. Las Vegas then completes its season with four games in Colorado Springs starting Friday.

Attendance

Monday's crowd: 2,353.

Season total: 315,551 (68 dates).

Average per date: 4,640.