Stars fall to Sidewinders, 6-3

Matt O'Brien

Wednesday, Aug. 25, 1999 | 10:30 a.m.

Things change quickly in the Pacific Coast League. Players are constantly being traded and promoted, especially as the season closes.

Though by no means a dramatic transition, the Stars have devolved over the past two weeks. Following an impressive series against Salt Lake, it appeared the Padres' top affiliate was primed to make a charge at division-leading Fresno. Now, after dropping six of eight games on the road and the last game of a homestand Tuesday at Cashman Field, the Stars are simply fighting to get out of the cellar.

"We were all holding out hope that we could make a run," said Stars manager Mike Ramsey, whose club dropped a 6-3 decision to the Tucson Sidewinders. "I think we were in decent position until we got to Oklahoma City and they beat us four times. If we would've split that series or somehow won three of four, we would've been in pretty good shape."

The Stars took three of four from the Sidewinders, but the one loss was costly. It left Las Vegas at 59-71 on the season, eight games back of Fresno with 12 to play. The two teams get together for a four-game series starting Thursday.

After scoring 36 runs in the first three games of the homestand, the Stars bats were finally held in check Tuesday night. Tucson starter Nelson Figueroa (10-5) went five innings, allowing seven hits and three runs.

Las Vegas' starter Bryan Wolff (7-11) was not as fortunate. He surrendered two-run homers in the second and fifth innings and was pulled after six innings.

"(Wolff) was out of sync tonight," said Ramsey. "He was trying to force the ball in on the lefties and the wind was blowing out to right field and they got him a couple of times. He wasn't putting the pitches where he wanted to."

* CARLYLE PROMOTED: The Padres called up pitcher Buddy Carlyle (11-8, 4.89 ERA) after Tuesday night's loss to the Sidewinders.