51s not troubled by Dodgers’ offensive struggles

Nick Christensen

Monday, April 21, 2003 | 9:33 a.m.

While the Las Vegas 51s improved to 12-6 on the year after splitting the first two games of their homestand against the Tacoma Rainiers this weekend, their parent club, the Los Angeles Dodgers, have struggled through April at 7-11.

To say the Dodgers have struggled offensively would be an understatement: They rank dead last in the National League in runs scored, at 58.

The Los Angeles pitchers have allowed only 62 runs to score, in contrast first in the NL.

The 51s, who beat Tacoma 7-4 Sunday, aren't exactly lighting up the bases themselves this season, but have had a few bright spots in the lineup, namely right fielder Bubba Crosby, first baseman Larry Barnes, and second baseman Joe Thurston.

While all three are aware of the Dodgers' struggles, they say their focus hasn't shifted since the start of the season. Barnes was in Salt Lake last April when Stingers' parent club Anaheim went through similar struggles.

"The players in AAA-- notice things like that, we read the paper, we see the news and everything," said Barnes.

"A lot of guys on this team are young. The guys who are older, they know what they have to do improve. It's not going to make you try harder if you see the team is struggling, because they have their own agenda. We're just waiting our turn."

Thurston, who struggled in spring training after being expected early to start the season with the Dodgers, says his focus is solely on what's happening at Cashman Field.

"I can't play for two teams. I can only play for the team I'm on. I'm trying to help my team out and help myself out by doing well. When we all do well, the team does well, and that's what it's all about."

On Sunday, Las Vegas scored three runs in the fourth and eighth to put away the Rainiers, 7-4. Leadoff man Joe Thurston had a two-RBI single in the eighth to secure the win for the 51s.

Crosby, still hitting DH while his shoulder recovers from early season soreness, went 3-for-4 and scored two runs to lead the 51s. Crosby is hitting .489 on the year after 47 at-bats.

The turning point occurred when left fielder Chin-Feng Chen hit an RBI single in the fourth to score Crosby, and move Barnes to third after Barnes' double. Barnes and Chen would later score in the eight-batter fourth.