Team hit by double dose of bad news

Victoria Sun

Thursday, July 19, 2001 | 11:23 a.m.

Oklahoma pounded Las Vegas pitching for 25 hits, and the 51s' offense was held hitless over the last four innings. Las Vegas' McKay Christensen snapped an 0-for-13 slump with a single in the fourth inning, the fifth and final hit by the 51s.

For Las Vegas 51s manager Rick Sofield, the worst news Wednesday night didn't come while he was scanning the box score.

Yes, the 51s were beaten 18-3 by visiting Oklahoma before an announced crowd of 2,394.

Yes, Las Vegas starter Eddie Priest, a pitcher Sofield called a "prospect" -- a compliment for any minor leaguer -- had one of his worst outings. Priest surrendered 10 earned runs (14 total) in 4 1/3 innings for the loss to go to 4-7.

But the real bad news came during the game when Sofield learned that the team lost another pitcher, newly acquired Rick Krivda, who was scheduled to start tonight's game.

"Krivda's not going to pitch tomorrow," Sofield said after Wednesday's loss. "His contract was voided by the commissioner's office.

"I don't understand. I'm confused. Something went on with his medical report. I don't think he passed the physical."

Krivda, a 31-year-old left-hander, was a body the 51s desperately needed.

The team's pitching staff was recently stripped of two starters, Eric Gagne and Dennis Springer, who were both recently called up to pitch for the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Things are equally thin in the 51s bullpen. Right-hander Kris Foster, who has 10 saves, and left-hander Matt Whisenant are both still on the disabled list.

"I need pitching," Sofield said with exasperation. "We don't have anybody left. We just lost Krivda."

Krivda was released by the St. Louis Cardinals on July 11. His last start was on July 6 when he picked up the loss for the Memphis Redbirds. He was 4-6 with a 4.35 ERA in 10 starts at Memphis.

Krivda joined the 51s on Tuesday. After he finished a throwing program, he met with 51s trainer Jason Mahnke to have his sore elbow worked on.

A stunned Krivda did not expect to be sent home packing.

"I really don't know what's going on," he said. "It's kind of a unique situation.

"I guess I came in to get treated for my elbow and this organization, with the history of elbow problems they've had with their pitchers, was worried. I don't think my injury is as serious, but the other guys probably said the same thing.

"All I know is they gave me a ticket back to Baltimore for tomorrow."

Without Krivda, the team is down to nine active pitchers.

Sofield was hoping Priest would have a good outing so he could save the bullpen for tonight's game.

Pedro Feliciano relieved Priest and allowed four hits and no earned runs in 2 1/3 innings. Chad Ricketts followed Feliciano for an inning before Sofield had no choice but to insert catcher John Hernandez to finish the game.

As for tonight's game, Sofield wasn't certain who would start.

"We may not know until tomorrow," he said. "Probably (Bobby) Bevel or (Onan) Masaoka.

"We're going to have to throw two, three or four guys just to get through nine innings."