‘LA 51s’ boost parent club after recalls

Nick Christensen

Friday, July 11, 2003 | 9:20 a.m.

LA 51s

Las Vegas players recalled by Los Angeles, followed by their 51s and Dodgers statistics:

When the Dodgers came to Las Vegas in the winter of 2000, they promised local fans an opportunity to see one of baseball's best farm systems up close and personal.

June provided a bumper crop for the parent club, and one need only watch any Dodgers game over the last week to see the impact spring's 51s are making on summer's Dodgers.

What's left of the 51s' was held scoreless after the first inning, and lost 4-3 to the Iowa Cubs Thursday night at Cashman Field.

The Dodgers have scored 20 runs in their past three games, just one fewer than the 21 they scored in the 11 before that. Of the 20 runs during the recent offensive outburst, five have come from Chad Hermansen, David Ross, Wilkin Ruan and Larry Barnes. The four "LA 51s" also have combined for eight of the team's 33 hits during that span and four RBIs.

Combine that with the pitching of Wilson Alvarez and Steve Colyer and Thursday night's call-up of outfielder Chin-Feng Chen, and nearly a third of the Dodgers' 25-man roster started the year at Cashman Field.

51s manager John Shoemaker has seen some of the Dodgers' games since last week's call-ups, and said he's pleased to see his players doing well.

"Every major-league organization is wanting to win at that level, and it really doesn't matter who's playing there, whether it's a major-league All-Star, or whether it's a guy that was called up from Triple-A," Shoemaker said. "They're putting a lineup out there now that they think is the best they can field at this point."

With the Dodgers' offensive struggles, any offense the call-ups can bring will be noticeable. The 51s' have raised their team batting average throughout the season, jumping from the middle of the pack in the PCL to second place in hitting.

"I think hitting is (about) gaining confidence, and knowing you have a chance to be successful, and getting a good pitch," said Shoemaker, who credits hitting coach George Hendrick for bringing that confidence to the 51s.

"George believes that you want to try to hit your pitch, before the pitcher makes you hit his," Shoemaker said. "If we're doing that, we have a chance to be successful."

Hendrick does not speak to the media.

"It's nice to know that if (the Dodgers) call," said Shoemaker, "we have some players here that can be of some value, and can help contribute, and try to win."