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June 4, 2012

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51s stay confident entering second half of season

Las Vegas drops close game to Sacramento River Cats at Cashman Field

By (contact)

Friday, June 25, 2010 | 2:05 a.m.

The Las Vegas 51s couldn't complain about a lack of scoring chances in a 4-3 loss to the Sacramento River Cats on Thursday night at Cashman Field.

The 51s had the tying run on base in each of the final three innings but came up short every time.

"We battled to get opportunities, but we just didn't get it done," 51s Manager Dan Rohn said. "Sometimes you've got to look at the guy across the mound and say he beat us. That's how I look at tonight."

Las Vegas is slightly more than halfway through the season, having compiled a 34-41 record and sitting in third place in the Pacific Southern division of the Pacific Coast League.

The 51s are 12 games behind the league-leading Fresno Grizzlies. Thursday's defeat, which snapped a three-game winning streak, played out similar to the 51s' season thus far.

The team shows undeniable signs of promise but can't find momentum at the right time. Still, everyone in the 51s clubhouse is positive going forward.

"I like where we're at right now," Rohn said. "We're starting to play good baseball, and we've scored some runs lately."

The 51s racked up nine hits, one more than the River Cats, in Thursday's loss. Right fielder Chris Lubanski smashed a two-run home run over the right-field wall in the fourth inning to tie the game.

With two outs in the ninth, first baseman Brett Wallace nearly dented the scoreboard with a solo shot to left field.

"We're going to hit homeruns," Rohn said. "I've said that since the beginning. We've got some power on this ball club. We just didn't get them when we needed them."

After Wallace's blast, catcher J.P. Arrencibia ripped a line drive to right field for a base hit.

That brought up Edwin Encarnacion, the 51s' newest player after the Blue Jays designated him for assignment earlier this week. Encarnacion hit a towering fly ball to center that brought fans out of their seats but ultimately was a routine out.

"They kept us off-balance in key situations," Lubanski said. "We had some opportunities, but they pitched out of them. They did a good job tonight."

The 51s finish off their series with the River Cats tonight at Cashman before heading to Fresno for a four-game series.

"There's still two months left in the season, so we've got a lot of time to turn it around," Lubanski said. "We want to win this series. Tomorrow is a big game to finish off June right and get it done on the road before July starts."

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