Stars pounded by Fresno

Victoria Sun

Friday, Sept. 1, 2000 | 10:12 a.m.

The Stars' pitching staff had a Minor problem Thursday night.

The Fresno Grizzlies' offense, led by Damon Minor, that is.

Fresno racked up 19 hits for a 14-4 win over the Stars at Cashman Field before an announced 3,295.

Minor went 2-for-4 with a home run, a triple, three runs scored and two RBIs.

Stars starter Junior Herndon (10-11), allowed 11 hits and five earned runs in 4 2/3 innings for the loss.

"That was an ugly one," Stars manager Tony Franklin said. "It's going to happen from time to time.

"You just hope it doesn't last forever and those types of games certainly seem to last forever. You just want it to end."

Neither the Stars' bullpen nor their offense was able to bail out Herndon.

While Fresno sizzled at the plate, Las Vegas struggled once Grizzlies reliever Robby Crabtree stepped in for Fresno starter Miguel Del Toro. Crabtree entered the game in the fifth inning and retired nine straight batters during one stretch to pick up the win.

Fresno built on its 5-2 lead by teeing off on Las Vegas' relievers in the sixth inning for eight more runs.

Stars lefty Matt Whisenant replaced Herndon and got the final out of the fifth inning before he unraveled.

Terrell Lowery reached second on a throwing error by Greg LaRocca, then former Star Juan Melo, who hit .513 against the Stars this season, singled to center. After Whisenant walked pinch-hitter John Summers, he was relieved by Matt Whiteside.

Things got worse after Whiteside stepped in.

With the bases loaded and no outs, Mike Byas' two-run single set off an avalanche of home runs that buried the Stars.

Pedro Feliz stroked Whiteside's first pitch over the left-center field fence, bringing home three runs. And after Whiteside walked Minor, Jalal Leach followed with a two-run blast, his second homer of the game. Whiteside then struck out Giuseppe Chiaramonte for the first out, earning thunderous applause.

But it didn't last.

Next up was Edwards Guzman, and he ripped an 0-2 pitch over the right-field fence for the third homer off Whiteside, who was replaced by Brandon Kolb. Kolb got the final two outs to end the inning.

"His pitches were a little flat today," Franklin said of Whiteside. "If your stuff is not as sharp as it usually is, guys at this level are capable of hitting the ball out.

"Once you leave pitches up there, you get hit around. This is a tough one this late in the season. I feel for all of the guys."