51s get whipped by Iowa hurler

Steve Guiremand

Friday, June 8, 2001 | 10:39 a.m.

What's that old saying about turnabout being fair play?

After finally breaking through to snap a 26 2/3 inning scoreless streak by Las Vegas pitchers on Wednesday night, the Iowa Cubs and Ruben Quevedo turned the tables on the 51s on Thursday at Cashman Field.

Quevedo pitched arguably the best game of the year by a starter against Las Vegas in hurling the Cubs (30-30) to a 5-2 victory.

The 22-year-old right-hander from Valencia Carabobo, Valenzuela scattered three hits over eight shutout innings. He struck out 11 while walking just two.

"This guy was outstanding," Las Vegas manager Rick Sofield said. "He kept changing speeds and kept us off-balance. He had a no-hitter for a while there. But we came back and had our chance at the end."

Indeed, catcher Brian Johnson hit a long two-run homer to left off Iowa reliever Will Ohman in the bottom of the ninth to cut Iowa's lead to 5-2. And the 51s (28-34) had the tying run at the plate at the end in first baseman Geronimo Gil, who flew out to center to end the contest.

It was the seventh time this season that Quevedo had limited an opponent to one run or less.

The two teams conclude their series with a 7:10 p.m. game today at Cashman Field. Right-hander Jason Ryan (3-6, 5.08) will start for Las Vegas and will be opposed by right-hander Carlos Zambrano (4-2, 4.37).

While he was conducting his post-game press session, Sofield received a phone call from infielder Dave Post. Post, demoted by Las Vegas to double-A Jacksonville on June 2 despite hitting a solid .289, had read about Gilbert's move to Japan and was lobbying to rejoin the 51s. If infielder Andy Stankiewicz, who is rehabbing a hamstring injury at extended spring training in Vero Beach, Fla., isn't ready to return to the 51s, Post just might get his wish. ...

Following tonight's game, the 51s will take a 1:20 a.m. red-eye to Dallas where they will connect on a flight to Memphis a few hours later. They play the Redbirds later that night.