Friday, June 18, 2004 | 9:03 a.m.
As part of last year's Las Vegas 51s team that started out smoking hot and cooled toward the end of the season, Las Vegas infielder Eric Riggs knows that anything can happen.
The 51s won their third consecutive game Thursday at Cashman Field, an 14-3 victory against the Portland Beavers that pulled them to within eight games of .500 and 12 games of the playoffs, just short of halfway through the season. Although the Beavers have been less than stellar, the 51s have looked as well-rounded and consistent as they at home have all year.
"Last year, we got off to a great start and slowed down, this year we started slow, maybe we can turn it around," Riggs said. "If we keep playing good ball, we'll see what happens in the rest of the season."
Coming back from injury in the middle of the season means two things for Riggs -- it's time to get back into midseason form and to get that playing time, and he'll need to add a few more positions to his repertoire.
Riggs, a natural shortstop who spent last year predominantly at third base, will return to the roster today after seven weeks on the disabled list. He was hit in the hand by a fastball April 27 against Sacramento, and MRIs that night revealed the break that he has been rehabilitating since.
Outfielder Daylan Holt was sent back to Class AA Jacksonville to make room on the roster for Riggs.
Last year was Riggs' first year at Class AAA, and also his strongest offensively -- he hit .280 with 31 doubles -- but also had the lowest fielding percentage of his career, at .925 at third base. In 48 games at shortstop in 2003, his percentage went up to .942.
Still, Riggs said he's ready for the challenge of playing first or second base, or even outfield, as 51s manager Terry Kennedy has asked him to do.
"I go and take ground balls wherever, third or short. I'll still get ground balls at other positions," he said. "I'll do whatever it takes to get to the big leagues. I'll play as many positions as I can."
Kennedy said that because Rick Bell will continue to take most of the time at third, Riggs will serve as a fifth outfielder as well as all four infield positions.
"I don't think he cares, as long as he's in there," Kennedy said. "I think he's best at third."
It may take Riggs a little more time to adjust to the plate.
"I think it'll take a few games, and I'm getting in on batting practice," he said. "But it's not the same thing as getting in the game, feeling the crowd. It's been seven weeks. I'm a little anxious. I can't wait to get back into the game and get that feeling back."
In 15 games with Las Vegas this year, Riggs went 10-for-45 with 10 walks and nine strikeouts. It's not the same form he had last year, which is something he hopes to recapture.
"Last year, some balls fell that hadn't in the past. Everything's the same to me," he said. "I did good last year. I'm hoping to build on that."
Like most 51s, Riggs credits hitting coach George Hendrick for his success at the plate.
"George Hendrick is as laid back as it gets. He'll let you try and figure it out on your own, and if you keep doing it, he'll try and correct it," he said. "I've gotta do... little things like bunting guys over. I'm not a home run hitter but I can throw a double out there."
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