51s waste strong effort from Springer

Monday, June 11, 2001 | 9:56 a.m.

MEMPHIS --- Las Vegas manager Rick Sofield called Saturday night's 15 inning 8-7 loss to Memphis the most disappointing of the season for his squad.

If so, Sunday afternoon's contest against the Redbirds can't be far behind.

Despite another brilliant pitching performance by knuckleballer Dennis Springer, the 51s dropped a 1-0 decision at AutoZone Park.

Left fielder Darrell Whitmore hit Springer's first pitch with two out in the bottom of the ninth over the right field fence to win it for the Redbirds and also snap Springer's consecutive scoreless inning streak at 17 2/3. Springer, who had scattered just four singles before Whitmore's game-winner on Sunday, had come within an infield single of pitching a no-hitter in his previous start last Monday against Omaha, a 3-0 win at Cashman Field.

Las Vegas (28-37), perhaps still feeling the effects of a red-eye flight to Memphis followed by an almost five-hour game later that night, managed just four hits against Redbird pitchers Rick Krivda and Jerry Spradlin (4-1) in a contest which took just 1:59 to complete.

The two teams continue their series today at 5:05 p.m. with lefty Victory Alvarez (2-1) starting for Las Vegas and going against right-hander Alan Benes (3-2).