51s shut down by ex-teammate

Wednesday, May 30, 2001 | 10:52 a.m.

FRESNO, Calif. -- Revenge is sweet.

Just ask Fresno reliever Todd Rizzo.

The veteran left-hander, who was released in controversial fashion a couple of weeks ago by the Las Vegas 51s to make room on their roster for outfielder/first baseman John Cotton, got the save in Fresno's 5-2 victory over the 51s at Beiden Field Tuesday night.

But this wasn't just a routine save for Rizzo.

When he entered the game with two outs in the top of the eighth, Fresno was holding on to a 3-2 lead and Las Vegas had the tying run at second in center fielder Jeff Barry, who had singled and was sacrificed to second.

Enter Rizzo to face Cotton. Rizzo struck out Cotton on a called third strike to end the threat.

The Grizzlies then put the game away in the bottom of the eighth when another former Las Vegas player, second baseman Juan Melo, and first baseman Damon Minor hit back-to-back home runs off 51s reliever Jim Dougherty.

It was the fourth straight loss for the 51s (22-30).

The teams continue their three-game series tonight at 7:05 with Fresno native Dennis Springer (0-1, 5.93) starting for Las Vegas against Fresno right-hander Julio Santana (2-3, 6.43).