Beirne fills in for 51s

Victoria Sun

Monday, April 22, 2002 | 9:26 a.m.

Children from five Little Leagues scattered onto Cashman Field to participate in a baseball clinic hosted by some of the Las Vegas 51s Sunday afternoon before the team's game against the Tacoma Rainiers.

Then the 51s put on an extended instructional session in the form of a cleanly executed game.

Las Vegas starting pitcher Kevin Beirne allowed one run, seven hits and struck out three in 6 2/3 innings in helping the 51s to a 3-1 victory before an announced crowd of 6,973.

The 51s (11-7) earned their fourth consecutive victory and Beirne picked up his first win while Tacoma (9-6) dropped its second straight.

"We needed a good performance by Beirne and he gave us one," 51s manager Brad Mills said. "He mixed his pitches very well, he kept the hitters off balance.

"Overall, the guys did a good job today. There were a lot of things happening on the field before the game, but they still came through."

Beirne has been a starter and reliever throughout his eight-year career, including stints with the Chicago White Sox and Toronto Blue Jays.

During spring training, Los Angeles Dodgers general manager Dan Evans told him to be ready for either role.

"Danny Evans was with the White Sox when I came up (in their farm system) so he's known me," Beirne said. "He wanted me to come into camp and I said, 'Whatever you want me to do.'

"I was relieving in big league camp and then they told me they wanted me to start in triple-A. I got used to being a starter, then being a reliever, but to get to the big leagues, it doesn't matter (what I have to do)."

Las Vegas relievers Scott Aldred and Ricky Bones combined to pitch 2 1/3 scoreless innings. Bones earned his third save of the season.

Las Vegas left fielder Mike Kinkade doubled in shortstop Felix Martinez and center fielder Brad Tyler in the third inning to give the 51s a 2-0 lead.

With one out in the eighth, 51s third baseman Rick Bell reached on an error and scored on Branson's double to left giving the team an insurance run.

Kinkade (who entered the game hitting a Pacific Coast League-leading .415), first baseman Chin-Feng Chen, second baseman Jeff Branson and Martinez had two hits each.

Ross, who credited his success to his work with hitting coach Ron Jackson, followed up his two-hit, two RBI performance the previous night with a single.

He helped in the clinic and was reminded of his days as a carefree youngster.

"It's good to help those kids out because there's a lot of little things about the game they don't know and we just try to give them basic things they can use," he said. "The kids are out there just wanting to have a good time and that's really what it used to be about.

"You try to go out there and have fun, but now it's your job on the line."

Guadalajara Mariachi band and Spanish-country band Corazon Norteno played music as a balloon artist and face painter entertained children.

"It's about time," said station sales manager Bob Rodriguez of the team's attempt to reach out to the Latino community. "The Latino community does play an integral part of the soccer and baseball market.

"Next to soccer, baseball is the most popular sport (with Latinos). We are glad to be working with the 51s because baseball is a family event."

The next Fiesta Beisbol will be held May 19. A $7 fee includes entrance to the festival, a game ticket and a hat.