LaRocca’s double lifts Stars into first place

Wednesday, June 21, 2000 | 10:11 a.m.

TUCSON, Ariz. -- The Stars will take a one-game lead in the Pacific Coast League's South Division with them into this weekend's key four-game series with Sacramento. And they can thank the clutch hitting of third baseman Greg LaRocca for that.

LaRocca's three-run double in the sixth inning rallied the Stars (42-28) to a 3-1 victory over the Tucson Sidewinders in the nightcap of a doubleheader on Tuesday night at Tucson Electric Field.

LaRocca's hit came off Sidewinders starter Geraldo Guzman (3-1), who had thrown seven perfect innings in a 4-2 win at Las Vegas 10 days earlier.

It was a key victory for the Stars. Had they lost, they would have gone into the Sacramento series on Thursday night at Raley Field in a tie for first place with the Rivercats. Instead, they bring with them a one-game lead.

Recently demoted Rodrigo Lopez (3-1) picked up the win for the Stars, yielding only a leadoff home run to Erubiel Durazo, who is making an injury rehab assignment with the Sidewinders after undergoing right wrist surgery to repair torn cartilage.

In the opener, shortstop Danny Klassen hit a three-run homer and drove in five runs as Tucson cruised to a 14-4 victory.