Strike could help 51s but …

Spencer Patterson

Monday, Aug. 19, 2002 | 9:51 a.m.

A Major League Baseball work stoppage looms as a potentially devastating event for owners, players and fans alike in the weeks to come.

For the Las Vegas 51s, however, a major league strike could actually prove beneficial as the team prepares for its upcoming playoff run.

That's because a work stoppage would prevent the Dodgers from calling up their top prospects, leaving the 51s with their full roster heading into the postseason.

Of course, that doesn't mean Las Vegas manager Brad Mills is hoping for the players to go on strike. Far from it, he'd rather lose some players if it keeps the Dodgers on the field.

"I want whatever's best for the organization, for the major league club," Mills said. "I want these guys to go up and help them."

Last Friday, an executive board of the player's association voted unanimously to set a strike date of Aug. 30, setting up the possibility of the ninth work stoppage since 1972.

If the major league season continues uninterrupted, the 51s are likely to lose several top players when rosters expand Sept. 1. Mills declined to speculate on who those players might be, instead preferring to consider how those call-ups might affect his own club down the stretch.

"I'm not looking for those call-ups to hurt us," Mills said. "We're going to be here battling for this no matter what.

"We've got a great group of guys, and they've battled through adversity all year. So I wouldn't be surprised to see this club battle right through that."

Victor Alvarez pitched 6 1/3 strong innings for Las Vegas, allowing one run on three hits, walking none and striking out five. Closer Jeff Williams got the final three outs for his 24th save.

Jolbert Cabrera and Tommy Davis homered for the 51s, with Davis and Luke Allen contributing a pair of hits apiece. Cody Ransom's solo homer in the seventh accounted for the Grzzlies' lone run.