51s, Sounds split doubleheader

Monday, May 16, 2005 | 9:28 a.m.

SUN WIRE SERVICES

Jeff Housman and Jeff Bennett combined on a two-hitter as the Nashville Sounds edged the Las Vegas 51s, 2-1, on Sunday afternoon to split a doubleheader at Herschel Greer Stadium.

The 51s (17-19) won the first game, 3-2, on a two-out double in the sixth by Jose Flores.

Housman (2-1) went the game's first 5 1/3 innings, allowing a run on two hits while striking out four to get the win. Bennett relieved Housman and got the final five outs to record his sixth save of the year.

Steve Scarborough's two-run shot to left field in the fourth off Edwin Jackson was all the scoring Nashville needed in Game 2. Scarborough's sixth roundtripper of the season scored Ryan Knox, who singled.

Jackson (2-3) went six strong innings, allowing two runs on five hits, but was nonetheless charged with his third loss of the year.

Jackson and Willy Aybar had the two hits for the 51s, both singles. Rickie Weeks and Pat Borders doubled for the Sounds, while Kevin Orie chipped in with two walks.

The first game was 2-2 after five innings before back-to-back doubles by Mike Rose and Flores off Mike Meyers (1-3) in the sixth broke the deadlock.

Las Vegas' Pat Mahomes (3-1) improved his chances of a call-up to the Los Angeles Dodgers by pitching six innings of two-run ball. A former reliever with the Minnesota Twins and New York Mets, Mahomes scattered six hits and four walks to lower his ERA to 2.76 in seven starts with the 51s. With Los Angeles' Scott Erickson struggling, Mahomes might soon be summoned.

Franquelis Osoria retired the Sounds in the seventh for his fifth save.

Game 4 of the five-game set is today, with Nashville's Rick Helling (2-1) taking on Las Vegas' Harold Eckert (2-2).