Depleted 51s revved up for playoff run

Victoria Sun

Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2002 | 10:16 a.m.

51S PLAYOFF SCHEDULE

A look at the Las Vegas 51s' best-of-5 Pacific Conference playoff series against the Edmonton Trappers (All times PDT, x-if necessary):

The Los Angeles Dodgers called up 51s infielder Joe Thurston, closer Jeff Williams, catcher David Ross and outfielder Wilkin Ruan Saturday night.

By rewarding them for outstanding performances at the triple-A level, it would also seem the parent Dodgers severely depleted the 51s four days before the start of the Pacific Coast League playoffs.

But those left in Las Vegas have other thoughts.

"I still think we've got enough guys here so we can win it," 51s second baseman Jeff Branson said. "There's definitely enough experienced guys here."

The 51s dealt the Sacramento River Cats an 11-4 loss Monday night at Cashman Field to end the regular season.

The team (85-59) has today off before hosting North Division champion Edmonton (84-58) in the first game of the playoffs at Cashman Field at 7:10 p.m. Wednesday.

Both the 51s and Trappers are offensive minded as each scored 820 runs. Las Vegas finished second in the PCL in batting average (.291) while Edmonton was third (.287).

The Trappers have hit the most home runs in professional baseball (202) led by outfielders Michael Restovich (29 HRs) and Mike Ryan (31). Both were named to the all-PCL team along with catcher Javier Valentin and ace Scott Randall (12-0, 3.25), scheduled to start the first game for the Trappers.

Randall is nursing a pulled groin. If he is unable to pitch, Edmonton will throw right-hander Juan Rincon, who was sent down by the Minnesota Twins.

"We're going to have to do all the fundamental things right," 51s infielder Phil Hiatt said. "They're going to hit the ball so we're going to have to be defensively sound to keep them from scoring any extra runs.

"We'd really like to win the first one. Definitely the first game will be very important."

The 51s will host the first two games of the best-of-5 series before heading to Edmonton Friday.

While Thurston, Williams, Ross and Ruan were instrumental in helping the 51s set a franchise record for wins (85) and capturing the PCL's South Division title, PCL manager of the year Brad Mills is confident the team can adjust without them.

"We lost some quality people, but there are an awful lot of quality people here," Mills said. "And we have enough quality people to do what we need to do and I'm looking forward to this series with this group out here.

"This is a great group of guys and a talented group of guys."

Branson, who has major league experience with the Dodgers, Cincinnati and Cleveland, will start at second base. Chris Clapinski, who has big league time with the Florida Marlins, will play shortstop. Clapinski, batting .295, went 1-for-5 with an RBI and run scored against Sacramento.

Hiatt, a 12-year veteran who has played 170 games in the major leagues, will start at first base. Chin-Feng Chen, batting .284 with a team-leading 26 home runs, will be the designated hitter.

Outfielder Bubba Crosby will join the 51s today from double-A Jacksonville and start in center field in place of Ruan.

In 40 games for Las Vegas, Ruan hit .327 with 29 RBIs and 18 runs scored.

Tommy Davis inherited full-time catching duties from the departed Ross, who hit .297 with 16 doubles and 68 RBIs.

Thurston, who played shortstop and second base, batted .334 and set franchise records for hits (196) and triples (13). He scored 106 runs, had 55 RBIs and a team-leading 22 steals.

Williams posted a 2.60 ERA and led the league with 28 saves.