Success of Suns motivates 51s

Nick Christensen

Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2005 | 9:29 a.m.

It's late in the year, and with his team limping along at 53-76, Las Vegas 51s manager Jerry Royster is looking to give his team any motivation that he can.

"We're the worst team in the league," Royster said. "Our goal should be to make people wonder how we got to be the worst team in the league."

The 51s, hurt by call-ups and injuries all season long and underachieving when the roster was complete, played like the team they were supposed to be all along in Monday's 5-3 victory against Portland at Cashman Field.

T.J. Nall pitched six complete innings, giving up 10 hits but striking out nine batters and allowing no walks. Nall allowed two runs, both earned. Buddy Carlyle got his first save in pitching a scoreless eighth and ninth.

Las Vegas pitcher Franquelis Osoria was called up to the Dodgers, and the 51s will get pitcher Orlando Rodriguez from Double-A Jacksonville.

Aside from trying to pull an end-of-the-year surge, the 51s have to be watching as the Jacksonville Suns get all the attention in the Dodgers' farm system. Baseball America named the Suns the most talented team in minor league baseball, and Jacksonville is 16-4 in the month of August. There are indications that when rosters expand in September, the Dodgers might look to younger players from Double-A as promising temporary help for the pennant race.

That's another reason why Royster is emphasizing a late-season rally to his players.

"This is the time of year people are here watching," he said. "You want to make sure you don't go into relax mode. There are still scouts here. People from L.A. are here evaluating and making decisions on September call-ups."

Brian Myrow and Chin-Feng Chen both hit home runs for the 51s, and Chen passed Joe Thurston for the most career doubles in 51s history (94).

The 51s close out their homestand against Portland tonight. The teams play a five-game series at PGE Park beginning Wednesday.