Snow delays 51s’ series against Salt Lake City

Nick Christensen

Tuesday, April 12, 2005 | 9:30 a.m.

Franklin Covey Field, Salt Lake City (345' LF, 420' CF, 315' RF; elev. 4,235) Radio: 1460 AM 5:30 p.m. today

First, 82 hits in three games hit the turf at Colorado Springs' Security Service Field. Then, the snow started and gave the Las Vegas 51s a chance to catch their breath and find some defense.

The 51s spent much of Monday in Colorado Springs' airport, waiting for a delayed flight to Salt Lake City that came so late that their Monday game against the Stingers was postponed until July. The 51s instead will open their series at Salt Lake tonight.

First-pitch temperatures at Colorado Springs were generally near 60, with temperatures in the first two games dropping quickly once the sun set.

"It was very cold but it doesn't stop the guys from hitting," 51s manager Jerry Royster said. "Usually the problem with the cold is playing offense. Every time we put a ball in play, every time the other team put a ball in play, it was a base hit or a double. That field played very fast."

As a team, the 51s hit .381 in Colorado Springs, scoring 29 runs -- and still losing twice. Of the 30 runs the Sky Sox scored in the opening series, 24 were earned. The 51s combined for seven errors in three games.

"We need to get our pitching going," Royster said. "I'm sure we will once we get out of Colorado. I think things could be a little better. We haven't played very good defense either. The only aspect we've really done is really hit."

And few 51s hit better than Norihiro Nakamura, a 13-year Japanese Pacific League veteran and an eight-time all-star third baseman. Nakamura signed with the Dodgers late last winter, and began the season with the 51s.

In three games, he went 5-for-11 at the plate with two home runs and six RBIs. When Dodgers third baseman Antonio Perez was injured, Nakamura got an early morning call Sunday and made it to Phoenix in time to get a pinch-hit single for the Dodgers that afternoon.

"I think they were one of the last flights out," Royster said. "I think he would have ran to Phoenix if he would have had to. He wasn't going to be denied by weather."

Jose Flores, Chin-Feng Chen, Mike Edwards and Willy Aybar each have six hits so far, with Aybar logging 13 total bases on the young season.

"Willy Aybar may be hitting the ball better than Nakamura was," Royster said. "Everybody's just doing really well. We're getting a bunch of hits and we're doing it the right way."

Nakamura was not on the 40-man roster when he was called up, so 51s reliever Frank Brooks was designated for assignment and will remain with the team until he clears waivers or is claimed. Utilityman Brian Myrow was added to the 51s roster to fill Nakamura's roster spot.