Herndon injured in Stars’ 3-0 loss

Friday, June 23, 2000 | 10:41 a.m.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Call it Lost Thursday for the Stars.

First, the Stars lost starting pitcher Junior Herndon after three innings because of a right groin strain. Then they lost the opener of this weekend's four-game Pacific Coast League Southern Division showdown with Sacramento, 3-0. And that loss disposed of Las Vegas' one-game lead over the River Cats for the division lead.

First baseman Adam Piatt, who last year became the first player in 72 years to win the Triple Crown en route to Topps Minor League Player of the Year honors, belted a three-run homer over the center-field fence with one out in the bottom of the ninth off Las Vegas reliever Domingo Guzman to give the River Cats (44-31) the win over the Stars (42-29) before a crowd of 12,922 at Raley Field.

Herndon pitched three hitless innings before leaving with his groin injury. He is to be reevaluated by the Stars' training staff today and could miss a start.

Stars shortstop Kevin Nicholson was called up by the Padres before Thursday night's game to replace the injured Chris Gomez.

There was some good news for Las Vegas. Outfielder John Roskos, first baseman Joe Vitiello and catcher Ben Davis were selected to the PCL All-Star team. The All-Star game is July 10 at Rochester, N.Y.