Tollberg called up to San Diego

Monday, June 19, 2000 | 9:41 a.m.

TUCSON, Ariz. -- There were a lot of happy faces in the Stars' locker room after Sunday night's 8-2 victory over the Tucson Sidewinders ... and for good reason.

Interim co-managers Darrel Akerfelds and Randy Whisler, filling in the last three nights for Tony Franklin -- who was in Los Angeles attending a funeral -- could take some pride in Las Vegas (41-27) snapping a three-game losing streak.

Second baseman Nate Tebbs, called up Thursday to replace the injured David Newhan, could celebrate getting an RBI single in his first Stars at-bat to highlight a four-run first inning. And Mike Darr and Dusty Allen both had reason to smile after hitting home runs in the fifth inning.

But the happiest Las Vegas player had to be one whose name did not even appear in the box score.

Pitcher Brian Tollberg (6-0, 2.83 ERA), arguably the team's best pitcher this season, got the news before the game to pack up his bags and make the 100-mile drive up Interstate 10 to Phoenix where he will join the San Diego Padres today.

Tollberg will make his major league debut on Tuesday night against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Bank One Ballpark.

Will Cunnane, who left after five innings because of flu-like symptoms, lifted his record to 5-0 for Las Vegas.

* STARS NOTES: Dan Serafini (2-5, 6.24) will take Tollberg's spot in the rotation and pitch on three days' rest tonight. ... Padres starter Woody Williams, sidelined almost two months because of surgery for an aneurysm in his arm, is tentatively scheduled to make a rehab start with the Stars on June 27 at Cashman Field against the Albuquerque Dukes.