51s snap 4-game losing streak at Fresno

Friday, June 1, 2001 | 10:19 a.m.

FRESNO, Calif. -- The Las Vegas 51s had reason to be a little upbeat on their flight home from Fresno today.

Thanks to first baseman Brian Johnson's two-out RBI single in the ninth inning, Las Vegas (23-31) found a way to snap its four-game losing streak with an 8-7 victory over the Fresno Grizzlies (24-29) on Thursday night.

It looked like Rick Sofield's squad, which went 2-5 on its seven-game California swing, would find a way to blow another one before Johnson's heroics.

Las Vegas, behind two-run homers by left fielder Bruce Aven and second baseman Shawn Gilbert, had jumped out to a 5-0 lead after two innings. But Fresno battled back to take a 6-5 lead with a six-run third inning that was highlighted by a three-run homer by shortstop Cody Ransom.

The 51s regained the lead, 7-6, in the fourth on a two-run double by Gilbert, who went 3-for-4 with four RBIs. But Fresno tied it in the sixth on a solo home run by right fielder Jalal Leach.

Gilbert opened the ninth with a single to center off Fresno reliever Jamie Arnold and was then sacrificed to second by shortstop Keith Johnson. After Aven lined out to right, Brian Johnson slapped his game-winning single to right to drive in Gilbert.

The 51s open a nine-game homestand tonight at 7:10 against the Omaha Golden Spikes at Cashman Field.