Wednesday, June 5, 2002 | 8:34 a.m.
Two games were decided by one run.
The other three weren't as competitive.
Together, their last five games amounted to a lengthy losing streak for the Las Vegas 51s heading into Tuesday night's contest against the Tucson Sidewinders at Cashman Field.
With a slim lead, the 51s put their fate in the hands of lefty reliever Scott Aldred and he presevered a much needed 3-1 victory to avoid a four-game sweep by the Sidewinders.
"I thought our guys did a great job," 51s manager Brad Mills said. "Their attitudes were good before the game.
"That was nice (Aldred's performance). He probably wasn't as crisp as he wanted to be, but he got the job done."
The 51s improved to 35-25 (18-18 at home) while the Sidewinders dropped to 26-30.
With one out and a runner on first base in the eighth inning, Aldred forced Tucson second baseman Alex Cintron to hit into a double play.
He struck out the first two batters in the ninth, then lured Doug DeVore to fly out to right field ending the game for his second save.
He said wasn't worried about the team's recent slide and was glad he could help out.
"I felt pretty good," Aldred said. "My arm felt good, I had been getting a lot of work in.
"But (starting pitcher) Robert Ellis did all the work, stayed up and pitched a great game."
Facing his former team, Ellis gave up six hits, one run, two walks and struck out four in 7 1/3 innings for the win before being relieved by Aldred.
Tucson shortstop Danny Klassen ripped Ellis' 0-1 offering off the left field wall for a triple, then scored the only Tucson run on starting pitcher Eric Knott's single to left.
Ellis, a member of the world champion Arizona Diamondbacks last season, started the season at Tucson before being promoted
"It felt good to throw strikes and let the team play defense," Ellis said. "I know a lot of those guys well. They're a good group of guys."
"I had a little extra adrenaline. Keeping that back was my biggest challenge."
Trailing 1-0, the 51s answered with two runs in the fourth inning.
Third baseman Rick Bell doubled to left field and scored on Chin-Feng Chen's double to right field for the first run. Two batters later, catcher David Ross singled in Chen for a 2-1 lead.
In the eighth inning, the 51s padded their lead. Chen singled, went to third on Luke Allen's single and scored on reliever Mark Holzemer's wild pitch.
"We had been losing the close games, especially at home," said 51s second baseman Joe Thurston, who had two hits. "Just to leave here with a win, knowing we can win a close game before heading to Sacramento, is good for our confidence."
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