Adrian Beltre to join 51s

Thursday, May 3, 2001 | 10:27 a.m.

CALGARY -- After scoring just two runs while getting swept in a doubleheader by the Calgary Cannons, 5-1 and 2-1, here on Wednesday night, the slumping Las Vegas 51s are certainly in dire need of offensive help.

And for a few games at least, the 51s are going to get it in the form of Dodger third baseman Adrian Beltre.

Dodger manager Jim Tracy said he'd like to have Beltre "play a couple of full games in Las Vegas" next week to cap off an injury rehab assignment that began earlier this week in Vero Beach, Fla.

The 22-year-old Beltre is one of the top young position players in the National League. He hit .290 with 20 home runs, 30 doubles and 85 RBIs for the Dodgers last season.

But Beltre has been sidelined since Jan. 12 when he underwent a botched appendectomy in his native Dominican Republic. He had to undergo a second surgery on March 12 to repair an open wound on his large intestine that caused him to lose 24 pounds.

Beltre began playing in extended spring games in Vero Beach on Monday. He is expected to join the Class A Vero Beach Dodgers by the weekend and, barring any setbacks, will likely join the 51s when they return home to Cashman Field on Tuesday night to host Tucson.

"We'd like him to stop in Las Vegas," Tracy said. "We'd definitely like to have him play two full games there. We're shooting for the Atlanta series (May 11-13) for his return here if everything goes well."

Meanwhile, the Dodgers recalled catcher Brian Johnson from the 51s before Wednesday night's doubleheader to fill the spot of catcher Paul LoDuca, who went on the 15-day disabled list with a strained left oblique muscle in his rib cage. It's possible LoDuca, who was the Dodgers' top hitter with a .368 average, could be sidelined as long as a month.

The 51s (10-16), who have now lost six of their last seven games and are in last place in the PCL's South Division, will try and avoid a series sweep by Calgary (13-11) tonight at 6:05. Left-handed Carlos Perez (2-1), who will likely be released on Friday by the Dodgers, is scheduled to start for Las Vegas and be opposed by right-hander Pat Ahearne (1-4).