Big third inning nets 51s, Roberts a win

Nick Christensen

Friday, May 30, 2003 | 10:38 a.m.

The Las Vegas 51s used a five-run third inning to put away the Salt Lake Stingers 5-3 Thursday night at Cashman Field.

Dodgers outfielder Dave Roberts, in a 51s uniform for a rehabilitation assignment, was 0-for-2 with a walk but scored on a three-run homer by Joe Thurston in that third inning. Henderson's Chad Hermansen had a solo shot in the next at-bat.

Las Vegas' Lindsay Gulin struck out five and allowed eight hits in six innings. Both Salt Lake runs came on home runs off Gulin.

Scott Proctor allowed one hit in two innings, and David Lee allowed one more in picking up his fifth save.

The focus was on Roberts, who has become an important part of the low-scoring Dodgers offense. Roberts strained his right hamstring April 25 at Pittsburgh.

Roberts spent five years in the minors, and another three drifting between Triple-A and the majors in the Indians' organization.

In 2002, he had a breakout season for the Dodgers after being acquired for two pitching prospects.

He said there were times in the minors when he became discouraged.

"That's just human nature to get discouraged. I tried to do my job, and not worry about things out of my control. The only question in my mind was, 'Do I still love the game?' and I still did, so I never contemplated giving it up."

That's why, according to 51s manager John Shoemaker, "The guys are excited to see a major leaguer play with us, even though it's just going to be for a short period of time."

Roberts likes the role of the success story.

"Getting to the big leagues is a reality. I go up there and do my work every day and there's a lot to be said for hard work. I think that's persistence and being consistent.

"I had to continue to have good years consistently, year after year, and just hope for an opportunity."

Roberts was expected to get three at-bats and play six innings. But Shoemaker said he felt good enough after the fifth inning to call it a night and will continue to test the leg in tonight's series finale against Salt Lake.

"If it was later in the year I would have tried to stay up and play through it," Roberts said of his time on the disabled list. "I didn't think it would take me two weeks to get to 100 percent. But they wanted to ensure that I'm at 100 percent. We've got four months left in the season. They wanted me to be healthy the rest of the way."