12 days

Steve Guiremand

Thursday, July 12, 2001 | 10:15 a.m.

The Las Vegas 51s return from the All-Star break tied for first place with Fresno in the Pacific Coast League's South Division.

Whether Rick Sofield's squad can still be at the top of the division in September probably will be determined in the next 12 days.

The 51s (45-47) begin a season-long 12-game homestand tonight at Cashman Field when they host the Sacramento RiverCats (41-50) at 7:10 p.m. East Division heavyweights Oklahoma City (47-45) and New Orleans (57-31) also stop by for four games each during the homestand.

Las Vegas has been a solid 30-19 at Cashman Field this season. But winning has definitely been alien for the 51s on the road where they are a pitiful 15-28. And following this homestand, Las Vegas plays just 12 of its final 40 games at home.

So it is imperative that Las Vegas get off to a good start in the second half of PCL action if the 51s hope to make it to the postseason playoffs.

One bit of good news for the 51s is that right-hander Eric Gagne will start tonight's game even though the Dodgers have already announced that he will be called up to start on July 16 at Pittsburgh.

Gagne will be on a limited pitch count and will be replaced by Mark Kiefer about midway though the contest. Still, even a few innings from Gagne, who blanked the San Francisco Giants for six innings last week at Dodger Stadium, is better than nothing.

One negative for the 51s is that red-hot power-hitting catcher Angel Pena has been placed on the disabled list with a badly sprained ankle that could keep him out of action for several weeks.