51s rally past Oklahoma City with five-run ninth inning

Leila Navidi

Randy Ruiz slaps five with a teammate after hitting a home run during the Las Vegas 51s home opener against the Colorado Springs Sky Sox at Cashman Field in Las Vegas Friday, April 17, 2009

By Ray Brewer (contact)

Sunday, May 24, 2009 | 5:22 p.m.

The Las Vegas 51s did it again.

They trailed 5-0 entering the ninth inning Sunday against the Oklahoma City RedHawks at Cashman Field, but sent 10 batters to the plate in rallying for a dramatic 6-5 victory.

Randy Ruiz’s run-scoring single plated Jonathan Diaz with the winning run to cap the improbable comeback. Ruiz was swarmed by teammates near second base to celebrate their second come-from-behind victory in as many days and a three-game winning streak.

Las Vegas (18-25) rallied from three runs down in the ninth inning Saturday against Oklahoma City to score four runs in a 6-5 victory. Howie Clark’s two-run double capped the comeback as the 51s won for first time in 21 games when trailing after the eighth inning.

The game-ending hits came roughly 16 hours apart, with both victories leading to wild celebrations on the field from the players. Saturday’s win was in front of 7,243 fans in attendance for a fireworks promotion.

“We have a good group of guys who get along well,” Las Vegas manager Mike Basso said. “They genuinely root for each other.”

Ruiz led off the ninth by reaching on an error by Oklahoma City’s Esteban German. J. P. Arencibia and Aaron Mathews walked to load the bases with one out.

Kyle Phillips and Kevin Howard followed with run-scoring singles to cut the deficit to 5-2. Howard also had a two-run single during Saturday’s comeback.

Pinch hitter Brett Harper doubled to score two runs and Howie Clark hit a sacrifice fly to tie the game at five and set the table for Ruiz’s heroics. Ruiz, who leads the team with 36 RBIs, ripped a single to left field to score Diaz — who ran for Harper — from second base with the winning run.

“That is my time to shine,” Ruiz said of the situation. “They brought me here to drive in runs. I happy to have the opportunity to help the team.”

Ruiz, who has won two batting titles in 10 professional seasons, is batting .302 with eight home runs. He has 175 career home runs and hit .274 with seven RBIs in 22 games with the Minnesota Twins last year.

“There is a reason why he hits No. 3 in our lineup. He is probably our best hitter,” Basso said.

Las Vegas begins a four-game series with the New Orleans Zephyrs at 1:05 p.m. on Monday at Cashman Field.

Ray Brewer can be reached at 990-2662 or ray.brewer@lasvegassun.com.