Former Star Melo boosts Grizzlies

Wednesday, July 5, 2000 | 10:05 a.m.

FRESNO -- If only Juan Melo had hit like this when he played for the Las Vegas Stars.

If he had, Melo probably would still be considered a top prospect in the San Diego Padres organization.

But Melo, who was released by the Padres in the middle of the 1999 season after batting a dismal .201 in 45 games with the Stars and also earning a tag as an erratic fielder, continues to get revenge against his old organization.

Melo went 3-for-4 with a home run and two doubles, scored three runs and drove in four more to lead the Fresno Grizzlies to an 8-4 victory over Las Vegas on Tuesday night before a turnaway crowd of 7,085 at Beiden Field.

Melo, who entered the game with a .277 batting average for Fresno, now has 12 hits in 23 at-bats (.522) against the Stars this year and has also hit three of his nine homers this year against his ex-club.

Ryan Jensen (2-4) allowed just four hits and one earned run over six innings to pick up the victory for the Grizzlies (31-55), who own the worst record in the Pacific Coast League this year. It was the first win in almost three months for Jensen, who picked up his only other win this season on Opening Day (April 6) against Sacramento.

Ben Davis had a home run, double and three RBIs to lead Las Vegas (46-37).

The teams continue their three-game series tonight at 7:15 with right-hander Rodrigo Lopez (4-2, 3.50) opposing Fresno right-hander Miguel Del Toro (5-5, 5.69).