Friday, July 8, 2005 | 9:56 a.m.
Probable Starters
Suddenly, the Las Vegas 51s are playing decent baseball again.
Although now even more of a patchwork team than in June, when the 51s went 6-22, Las Vegas' lineup has been able to put together runs and close out games to the tune of the 51s winning six of their past eight games, including Thursday's 8-3 win at Fresno.
"Unfortunately it just comes in cycles," 51s manager Jerry Royster said. "It was mentioned a couple of times in the last few days how crisp and how well of a game we've been playing. We've got guys that pitch well out here and don't pitch so well at home."
But just as the wins started to come the 51s' way lately, more injuries to both the Dodgers and their Triple-A affiliate have put a wrench in momentum.
After J.D. Drew went out for two months with a wrist injury last week, Chin-Feng Chen was called to shore up the Dodgers outfield, joining Jason Repko and Cody Ross, both of whom would likely still be 51s if it weren't for the Dodgers' rash of injuries.
With Cesar Izturis on the disabled list, Kelly Wunsch headed in that direction and Jeff Kent hurting, yet more Las Vegas players could be headed for the major leagues by the time the All-Star break ends next Thursday.
And the 51s themselves have faced injuries, too. Dioner Navarro will likely return to the disabled list this weekend after straining his shoulder on a successful pickoff attempt Wednesday -- "probably his best throw of the year," Royster said -- and will not play in Wednesday's Triple-A All-Star Game in Sacramento.
Another 51s player, possibly Joe Thurston or Henri Stanley, will take Navarro's place in the game, set to be televised on ESPN2.
Rosten Gil will be called up from Rookie League Ogden to back up Mike Nixon (who came to Las Vegas from Single-A Vero Beach in May) in three games at Portland this weekend. Utilityman Nick Theodorou, who was the emergency backup catcher in Navarro's other injured stints, is also coping with injury.
Thursday's starter, Ryan Rupe, was pulled in the fifth inning after having trouble extending his shoulder. He is scheduled to have an MRI today.
"They (the Dodgers) were commending us on being able to stay together for all the call-ups we've had," Royster said. "They read off the lineup for last night's game and they were commending us for being able to supply them with people that can go up there and play. We informed them we're pretty banged up ourselves."
Donovan came to the 51s with a minor-league leading 44 stolen bases, more than the 51s have as a team this year.
"He brings an element to our game that we haven't seen," Royster said. "He's the best I've seen in a long time as far as stealing bases goes. I think he's here for the year."
Donovan is 1-for-3 in stolen base attempts at Triple-A, but Royster said the two times he was caught were near-misses.
"Both times were bang-bang plays, they could have been called either way," he said.
The addition of Donovan also allowed Royster to move Henri Stanley to left field, a move that is paying dividends in the field and at the plate. Stanley has hit five home runs in the last three games.
"I think Henri is best suited to play left field and you see how he's been playing since he moved over there," Royster said. "He's making diving catches, all the things he couldn't do at center."
Chen got his first major league hit this week after four years of brief big league appearances. He also has two RBIs.
Oscar Robles, who started the year in the Triple-A Mexican League, leads the Dodgers with a .343 batting average in 70 at-bats. Antonio Perez, who last year was the first player in 51s history to hit 20 home runs and steal 20 bases, is hitting .314. And Mike Edwards, called up in April to fill a utility role, is hitting .304 (35-for-115).
Jason Repko is hitting .227 in 141 at-bats, but has been a solid presence in the outfield. Mike Rose has played just 10 games at catcher, and is struggling at the plate, batting 5-for-29 for the year. Cody Ross has four hits in 24 at-bats since being called up on June 24.
archive
