Newhan’s grand slam lifts short-handed Stars

Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2000 | 11:03 a.m.

TACOMA, Wash. -- David Newhan drove in six runs, including four with a sixth-inning grand slam which give his team the lead for good, as the Las Vegas Stars snapped their eight-game losing streak with a 13-5 victory over the Tacoma Rainiers on Monday night at Cheney Stadium.

What made the win unlikely for Las Vegas is that the team was so short-handed because of injuries and trades that the Stars had to shun using a designated hitter in the American League ballpark because they had only eight healthy position players.

Just prior to the game, outfielder Mike Darr, the team's top hitter with a .344 average to go along with nine homers and 65 RBIs, was promoted to the big leagues after the parent San Diego Padres traded leftfielder Al Martin to Seattle.

Another outfielder, John Curl, will be sidelined for a couple of weeks after hyperextending his right ring finger in Sunday's game.

And infielder Nate Tebbs packed his bags for double-A Arkansas of the Texas League after getting traded to the St. Louis Cardinals along with pitcher Brian Meadows.

The good news for the Stars is that pitching help is on the way.

Hard-throwing right-hander Tom Davey switched clubhouses Monday after getting traded to the Stars in the Martin deal. And the Padres optioned righty Matt Whiteside back to Las Vegas on Monday.