Royster at his wit’s end with 51s

Nick Christensen

Monday, May 23, 2005 | 9:42 a.m.

Cashman Field 7:05 p.m. Today-Thursday Radio: all games on 1460-AM

Probable Starters

* - The Astros moved their Triple-A affiliate to Round Rock after the 2004 season.

Las Vegas 51s manager Jerry Royster is planning on having a team meeting today to discuss his team's recent slump.

The 51s had lost three consecutive games going into Sunday, and a ninth-inning meltdown by Albuquerque Isotopes pitchers Ariel Prieto and J.B. Miadich was all that kept the 51s from slipping to 19-23 this year.

Prieto loaded the bases in the ninth, and Miadich walked Chin-Feng Chen to give the 51s a 7-6 victory. It was the 51s' first-ever win against the Isotopes.

"It was a bad weekend, period," Royster said. "We're not competing. They're not doing what it takes to become a major league baseball player. They're getting to a game-winning situation and treating it like a high school or College World Series game. You have to perform."

Royster said players have been checking their swings, not following signs and making poor baserunning decisions. He also criticized his pitching staff for being too pensive.

"I'm calling them out," he said. "You see a situation like Pat Mahomes came into the other day. He was in trouble, he was not getting pitches, everything was going wrong for him. You look up and he's given up three runs. That's how you compete. You minimize the damage."

He also took issue with Edwin Jackson's start Saturday. Before an overflow crowd of 11,585, Jackson gave up seven runs - four earned - on five hits in two innings before being ejected for hitting Albuquerque's Todd Sears.

"He can never have a game like that. Ever. Ever again," Royster said. "Here's a guy that's rising, (the Dodgers) need a start here in a couple days. You've got to know this stuff and go out there and ... find a way to get out of the minor leagues, guys. How can you pitch in the other game if you can't get these guys out?"

Royster said he plans on emphasizing the importance of standing up to competition.

"You can't be afraid," he said. "You certainly can't be afraid of the Albuquerque Isotopes. I don't care what the result is, but don't be up there afraid to play. We did it a couple times and still got away with it."

Also, Dodgers outfielder Jason Grabowski will begin a rehabilitation assignment with the 51s today.

After hitting .455 in his brief stay with Las Vegas to start the year, Nakamura was summoned to the Dodgers. He was ineffective at the big leagues and has returned, going 8-for-26 since coming back.

To Royster, Nakamura is, in a sense, the one that got away.

"We've been trying to get him over here to the major leagues for 10 years. I heard about this guy forever," he said. "His deal he's a power hitter. Those other hitters that came out (of Japan), none of them are power hitters."

Royster said the 51s will continue to train him at first base, despite his analysis that Nakamura is a Gold Glove-caliber third baseman.

"The thing he needs to do is swing the bat," Royster said.