51s refocus after sweep, beat lowly Fresno

Nick Christensen

Wednesday, July 30, 2003 | 8:54 a.m.

You wouldn't think the first game after being swept would be an ideal time to have an optional batting practice.

But there has been a change of attitude at Cashman Field, after the Albuquerque Isotopes won all four games against the 51s during a Las Vegas visit. Nine of 11 51s batters took B.P. Tuesday, before the 51s beat the Fresno Grizzlies 9-5.

Manager John Shoemaker said that while the focus is always on development of future major-league players, it's best for the organization if the 51s are still playing in September.

"We started the season by wanting to prepare everybody on our club to reach the major leagues, or, if they can't reach the major leagues, to give them more value within our own organization," Shoemaker said.

"Obviously, winning a division title is important, being a PCL champion would be important -- but our main focus is playing the guys we're supposed to play when we're supposed to play them in hopes they'll reach the major leagues, to help the Dodgers win a championship."

The player development angle has had mixed results. The 51s' transaction sheet is littered with Dodgers call-ups, but aside from catcher David Ross and pitcher Wilson Alvarez, none has been able to make a significant long-term impact. And as the parent club continues to slip out of contention, the need for a quick fix is lessened.

So with a renewed focus on winning, the 51s will head into August against the Grizzlies, who have the worst record in the 16-team PCL. After that, they'll play 13 games on the road before returning Aug. 15 for a homestand against Portland.

The 51s close out the season with eight games against first-place Sacramento, sandwiching a five-game series at Fresno.

"We have 34 games left with the trading deadline near, it's hot outside, and we have a big, long roadtrip coming up," Shoemaker said. "We have a lot of things that could possibly keep us not focused, but, knowing the guys we have in our clubhouse, the professional attitude they take day in and day out, not getting too up or too down, I know we're going to continue to focus and play good baseball."

But focus in the clubhouse and focus on the field are two different things. Las Vegas has committed 14 errors over the past eight games, costing 51s pitchers 10 unearned runs.

But Shoemaker says statistics can be deceiving.

"When you look at statistics, they can sometimes be misleading. A team batting average, runs scored, earned-run average, some of those things over the course of the whole season can be misleading.

"Every series is important from here on out. If we are hoping to challenge for the Southern Division title as the club did last year, every series from the beginning of the season to the end is important. Obviously, with only 34 games left, games become more critical. You don't have a chance to get one back if you let one get away."