Hiatt belts 3 homers in loss

Monday, July 9, 2001 | 9:32 a.m.

FRESNO, Calif. -- The Las Vegas 51s had a chance to go into the three-day All-Star break with a two-game lead in the Pacific Coast League's South Division with a win here on Sunday night. Instead, they find themselves in a first-place tie with Fresno.

The Grizzlies (43-45), behind five RBIs by third baseman Tony Zuniga, including a grand slam home run in the fifth, jumped out to an 8-4 lead and then held on to defeat the 51s (45-47), 8-7, at Beiden Field.

Despite his grand slam homer, Zuniga was not the home run hero of the game.

That honor went to red-hot Las Vegas third baseman Phil Hiatt, who belted three more home runs to increase his PCL-leading total to 25.

Not bad for a guy who spent most of April in the major leagues with the Dodgers.

Hiatt's output was the best by a Las Vegas player since Eddie Williams set the team record with four in an April 22, 1998, game at Calgary.

John Cotton also homered for Las Vegas. His solo shot to open the ninth off ex-51s lefty Todd Rizzo cut Fresno's lead to 8-7. Catcher Geronimo Gil, starting in place of the injured Angel Pena, then singled. But second baseman Jeff Branson struck out when he bunted foul for his third strike while trying to sacrifice Gil into scoring position. Pinch-hitter Bruce Aven then popped out and center fielder Chris Prieto flew out to left to end the comeback.

The 51s begin the second half of the season with a 12-game homestand beginning on Thursday night at Cashman Field against the Sacramento RiverCats.