Brotherly love

Victoria Sun

Tuesday, April 30, 2002 | 9 a.m.

Las Vegas 51s third baseman Rick Bell picked up his older brother Mike at his hotel and drove him to Cashman Field before Monday night's PCL game.

Ordinarily, that wouldn't have been unusual. But Mike plays for the opposing Colorado Springs Sky Sox.

"It's different," Rick said. "Our family is so close, we've always been on the same team.

"This is the first time we're playing against each other."

In the teams' first meeting of the season, the Sky Sox outlasted the 51s with a 17-16 victory comprising five hours, 14 innings, 44 hits and nine home runs.

In the first clash between the brothers, who each batted seventh in the lineup, Rick outdid Mike.

Rick went 5-for-7 with a home run, his second of the season; two RBIs, including a run-scoring single which ignited a five-run fifth inning; and two runs. Mike went 3-for-7 with a triple, an RBI and a run.

During the ride to the stadium, Rick and Mike spent most of the time talking about their father, former Colorado Rockies manager Buddy Bell.

Buddy, entering his third season with the Rockies, was fired last Friday before the team's game against Philadelphia. At the time, the Rockies were off to their worst start in history at 6-16.

"Obviously he's disappointed," Rick said. "He handles things pretty well.

"He knows that's part of the job. I'm not sure if he's going to manage again. I don't think he knows right now what he wants to do."

Following batting practice, Rick sat in the 51s dugout before the game to catch up with Mike, whom he normally doesn't see during the baseball season.

To stay in touch, the two talk on the phone a few times a week.

"It's different when you see him in person," Rick said. "I have been just looking forward to this series so that I could see him.

"It's good to see him."

On Saturday night, Buddy Bell drove with his wife and daughter to Las Vegas so that he could watch his kids in the series.

"It's nice that he's here," Rick said. "I think he just wanted to get away for a while."

51s pinch-hitter Chris Clapinski sparked a two-run 51s' rally in the 14th inning with a lead-off homer. Catcher Todd Greene then doubled in the team's final run.

Las Vegas reliever Shane Nance (5-1) surrendered three runs on three hits and walked one in the final inning for his first loss while relievers Shane Aldred and Ricky Bones combined to toss five scoreless innings.

The 51s tied the game 14-14 when center fielder Brad Tyler singled and scored on reliever Bobby Munoz's wild pitch in the eighth inning.