Kiefer, 51s fall to Cats

Victoria Sun

Monday, Aug. 13, 2001 | 9:30 a.m.

A day after the Las Vegas 51s emerged victorious in a slugfest against the Sacramento River Cats in which a combined 30 runs were scored, Sunday's game figured to be a less explosive contest.

On the mound for the 51s was Mark Kiefer, who had won his last five starts and had allowed only four runs in 34 1/3 innings. Sacramento countered with left-handed ace Mario Ramos, who entered the game 6-1 with a 1.79 ERA.

Ramos tamed the 51s' bats, but a few bad decisions proved to be costly for Kiefer. Kiefer struck out 10 batters but the effort was spoiled.

He surrendered a grand slam in the first inning and a two-run homer in the fourth in a 8-6 loss to Sacramento before an announced crowd of 3,078 at Cashman Field.

"I had as good as stuff as I've had all year," Kiefer said. "We threw the same pitch (to grand slam hitter Eric Hinske) as the first two that he swung and missed on. I was going for a groundout when I probably should have gone for a strikeout instead. So it was poor pitch selection more than anything else."

Hinske hit Kiefer's 2-2 inside cutter over the right field wall for his 22nd homer of the year. Kiefer entered the game trailing Pacific Coast League strikeout leader Ruben Quevedo (150) by 11 strikeouts.

Though Sacramento's bullpen almost let the 51s rally for a victory, Ramos allowed one earned run and five hits in 5 2/3 innings to pick up the win. The loss dropped the 51s (59-64) 4 1/2 games behind the South Division leading River Cats (63-59) with 21 games remaining. Sacramento has dominated Las Vegas all season, holding a 11-4 edge in the series.

"Kief had a tough first inning and they put up a four spot, but we had opportunities and came back," 51s manager Rick Sofield said. "I think that's a positive. "If we had gone quietly and lost 8-0, then that would be different."

Angel Pena pinch-hit for 51s shortstop Jeff Branson in the eighth and hit a two-run shot off former Stars pitcher Dave Maurer for the team's final runs. Las Vegas catcher Mel Rosario hit the 51s first homer of the night, a three-run blast off Marcus Jones in the sixth inning to pull the 51s within reach at 7-4.

The 51s loaded the bases in the fourth inning with two outs, but scored only once, on Jeff Brandon's single to left which brought home Bubba Crosby. Crosby was called up from double-A Jacksonville Saturday night.

In his debut on Sunday the left fielder went 2-for-3 with a double, three runs scored and a stolen base.

"Whisenant hurt himself in the pen," Sofield said. "We're very concerned about him. "We won't know until tomorrow what is wrong."