Las Vegas benefits from Royal miscues

Victoria Sun

Wednesday, May 22, 2002 | 8:49 a.m.

Fielding errors. Throwing errors.

It looked as if the Omaha Royals spent the previous evening enjoying the night life that Las Vegas has to offer.

The 51s were the beneficiaries of the many miscues, taking an early 3-0 lead and holding on for a 4-3 victory at Cashman Field Tuesday night.

"They got us going," Las Vegas catcher David Ross said of Omaha's four errors. "That's the sign of a good team to take advantage when somebody gives you a break."

Las Vegas starter Dennis Springer (3-3) gave up seven hits, two runs and struck out two in six innings for the win.

In his previous three starts, Springer has allowed an average of 1 1/2 runs in seven innings.

"He's throwing great right now," Ross said. "Me and him are working really good together.

"I basically gave up the two runs. One hit off my glove and shouldn't have happened. That's the only thing I'm upset with. We should have had a shutout tonight. "

Omaha scored twice in the sixth inning on a passed ball and Kit Pellow's RBI double.

Ross, the only Las Vegas player with more than one hit, went 2-for-3 with a run scored. He has had at least one hit in five of the last six games.

"We're (Ross and hitting coach Ron Jackson) constantly working on my swing and just fine-tuning it to get things going," Ross said.

It wasn't easy, but closer Ricky Bones picked up his second save in as many days and seventh of the season.

Bones gave up three hits, one run and struck out the final batter in the ninth for the save, stranding runners on first and third.

51s first baseman Chin-Feng Chen hit a solo home run off reliever Matt Skrmetta to start the sixth inning, putting the 51s ahead 4-2. Chen blasted Skrmetta's second pitch over the left-field wall and into a palm tree for his team-leading eighth homer of the year.

A two-run third inning gave Las Vegas a 3-0 lead.

Ross led off with a single and advanced to second when shortstop Mike Caruso tried unsuccessfully to throw him out on Joe Thurston's fielder's choice.

Chris Clapinski's sacrifice bunt moved Ross to third and Thurston to second and they both scored on Caruso's errant throw to first base allowing Chen to reach first. That was the Royals' final costly error.

The 51s struck early with a run in the second inning.

First baseman Phil Hiatt led off with a single to right. One out later, Rick Bell smacked Scott Mullen's 2-1 pitch down the third-base line for a double, moving Hiatt to third. Hiatt scored when left fielder Brandon Berger bobbled Bell's line drive.