Edmonton outfielder ties knot on team’s road trip to Las Vegas

Steve Guiremand

Monday, April 26, 1999 | 10:22 a.m.

Sunday was a big day for the Edmonton Trappers, who cruised to a 7-2 victory over the Las Vegas Stars at Cashman Field.

It was an even bigger day for Trappers' right fielder Jason Herrick.

Shortly after midnight early Sunday morning, Herrick and girlfriend Terrie, who had flown in from Wichita, Kan., headed to the Silver Bells Wedding Chapel to tie the knot.

"We had talked about it a long time and it seemed like the right time to do it," Herrick said.

Not even an 0-for-5 performance in Saturday night's 10-1 win over Las Vegas could change Herrick's plans.

The Herricks celebrated their big moment until just before sunrise.

"I don't think I got to bed until around five," Herrick said.

But when he arrived at Cashman Field a few hours later, he found that Edmonton manager Carney Lansford had put his name on the lineup card.

"I had heard before the game (Saturday) that he might be getting married," Lansford said. "Then I asked him and he said, 'Yes.' So I decided to let him play today and celebrate a little." With new wife Terrie in the stands, Herrick singled and also reached base on an error in four at-bats in helping the Trappers to the 7-2 victory.

* RUNNING ON EMPTY: The Stars had five players thrown out attempting to steal during the first six innings in Sunday's 7-2 loss to Edmonton.

Trappers' catcher Ben Molina tossed out four runners in the first four innings alone despite the fact Edmonton starter Paul Morse was floating knuckleballs to the plate. A fifth Las Vegas runner --- Gary Matthews --- was picked off first by Edmonton reliever Chris Michalak.

The Stars don't keep a record for most caught stealings in a game, but longtime observers of the team couldn't recall it ever having that many players caught stealing in a game.

Stars' manager Mike Ramsey said two of the steal attempts came despite "stop" signs when players decided to run on their own.

Will those players be fined?

"We'll see," an angry Ramsey said before adding, "But everybody is entitled to one mistake."

Ramsey said he could never recall having five players caught stealing in a game.

"Maybe four, but not five," he said.

* LAROCCA UPDATE: Don't count on seeing popular utiltyman Greg LaRocca in a Stars' uniform again this season.

LaRocca underwent surgery on Saturday to repair a torn pectoral (chest) muscle suffered in a fight with Omaha shortstop Ray Hulbert on Wednesday.

"It's probably a four- or five-month rehab," Stars trainer George Poulis said. "Greg is such a hard worker that it wouldn't surprise me if he comes back sooner. But he probably won't be ready to play again until Fall League or next spring."

* STARS NOTES: Carlos Garcia made his first appearance for the Stars Sunday and went 0-for-4. ... Ramsey said it was "still up in the air" whether former Stars' slugger George Arias would join the team this week on an injury rehab assignment. Arias has been sidelined for three weeks with a sprained thumb suffered while sliding into a base. "We're not sure if he's coming or not," Ramsey said. "One day it's on, the next day it's off. We should learn something the next day or so."... Backup catcher Jimmy Gonzalez, plagued by a sore rib muscle, finally made his first appearance of the season on Sunday and had two walks in four at-bats. ... Edmonton catcher/third baseman Steve Decker had a homer and triple and four RBIs in Sunday's game. So far in the three games in the series, Decker has four homers, a triple and nine RBIs. His triple hit the top of fence in l eft-center, about 410-feet away.

* NEXT UP: The Stars conclude their series with Edmonton at Cashman Field tonight at 7:05 with lefty Heath Murray (2-0, 0.90 ERA) opposing Trappers' left-hander Norm Montoya (2-0, 5.23). The Stars then open a four-game series against the Calgary Cannons on Tuesday night at Cashman.