51s rally to douse Cannons

Victoria Sun

Monday, April 8, 2002 | 9:50 a.m.

Down but not dead, the Las Vegas 51s buckled down to bail out their pitching staff and bring an announced crowd of 2,296 to its feet at Cashman Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

Some help from the Calgary Cannons didn't hurt, either.

The 51s rallied for a 9-6 victory after trailing by three runs entering the eighth inning.

"The guys really did a good job of battling and that's always good," 51s manager Brad Mills said. "I'm confident we're going to battle.

"I can't say we're going to pull it out, but I know we're not going to give up. That's what I'm happy about."

The 51s won their first series of the season to improve to 3-1 while the Cannons dropped to 1-3.

Proving that it's the quality -- not necessarily the quantity -- of hits that matters were 51s first baseman Chin-Feng Chen and center fielder Scott Pose.

Chen hit a two-run homer to right, his second of the year, off Cannons reliever Blaine Neal to cap a seven-run eighth inning. It was his second hit of the game.

Pose's lone hit, an effective bunt toward third base which drove in a run, turned out to be one of the most important of the game.

51s shortstop Felix Martinez scored the go-ahead run on the bunt and pinch-hitter Luke Allen scored the first insurance run when Calgary third baseman Jason Wood threw the ball into right field, allowing Pose to advance to third.

Chen's big shot was next, which sealed the victory.

Martinez was 3-for-4 with one run and one RBI.

"We have good players," said 51s catcher Todd Greene, who went 2-for-4 with two doubles and an RBI in the sixth inning. He also scored the second run of the eighth inning on a passed ball. "Good players come back."

For the second consecutive night, 51s reliever Shane Nance (3-0) picked up the win after pitching one scoreless inning. Neal (0-1) surrendered four hits and four runs in just one-third of an inning and was pinned with the loss.

Las Vegas starting pitcher Robert Ellis lost his control in the fifth inning which sent the game into a downward spiral for the 51s.

Jason Wood singled to right center to start the inning. The next two batters grounded out to third base, but Ellis couldn't get the third out.

He gave up two more singles and a walk to load the bases before being relieved by Ben Simon, who is still adjusting to his role as a reliever.

"He didn't pitch much from the spring from what I understand, but he had very good command of all four of his pitches," Greene said. "I don't think his arm got tired, I think maybe he wasn't in as good pitching shape.

"But he's good. I've caught Robert before and he's going to be fine."

Ellis' line read seven hits, five earned runs, one walk and one strikeout in 4 2/3 innings.

Simon walked home Matt Erickson and gave up a two-run single to Toby Rumfield before finally inducing the next batter to ground out.

"Coming out with the bases loaded is something I'm just getting accustomed to," Simon said. "I've got to concentrate more right away and make better pitches.

"I'm happy we were able to pull it out."

"It's not serious," Mills said. "He felt some soreness and tightness. This early in the season, we don't want him to aggravate it."