After the celebration of several 51s’ contribution to the 2015 New York Mets National League Championship season, it was time to get back to the matter at hand. Las Vegas (17-14) took on the El Paso Chihuahuas for the first in a 4-game series to begin a short home stand.

Seth Lugo took the mound for the 51s and pitched 7 innings giving up only two earned runs on eight hits. He was also tagged for two unearned runs to which two errors by second baseman Dilson Herrera contributed.

After the Chihuahuas scored one in the top of the first, the 51s had a chance to come back in the bottom of the inning. Brandon Nimmo doubled to right with one out. T. J. Rivera followed with a single to left. Nimmo raced to the plate, but was cut down by left fielder Yeison Asencio‘s throw home, keeping Vegas scoreless.

In the third after a lead off single by pitcher Carlos Pimentel, centerfielder Manuel Margot hit a ground ball to shortstop Matt Reynolds who fed to Herrera who dropped the ball, resulting in two runners on and nobody out. After another single moved the runners up, Lugo induced a double play getting two big outs, but Pimental scored. Right fielder Hunter Renfroe then doubled to right drivin in Margot, but was thrown out trying to stretch it into a triple. A strong throw by right fielder Travis Taijeron and a relay from Herrera to third baseman Rivera ended the inning helping Lugo escape without any further damage.

Now down 3-0 in the bottom of the third, the 51s began to work their way back into the game. First baseman Marc Krauss worked out a walk and Lugo moved him over with a sac bunt. Lugo was safe at first after a misplay by El Paso. A Nimmo single drove in Krauss for Vegas’ first run. Rivera followed with a single to center to drive in Lugo. Then El Paso continued to mishandle the ball. Rivera moved to second and Nimmo ended up on third when Margot overthrew the ball.

After catcher Johnny Monell popped out, Taijeron drove the ball deep to center for a triple clearing the bases for two more runs giving Las Vegas the lead. Left fielder Roger Bernadina followed with another ball to deep center resulting in a double and a run batted in, the fifth run of the inning. Reynolds  struck out to end the rally.

El Paso got one run back in the sixth when a bunt single by second baseman Carlos Asuaje was thrown away by Herrera for his second error of the game. Asuaje moved to second on the play and then to third on a sac bunt by shortstop Diego Goris. After a pop out to Herrera, a single by third baseman Ryan Schimpf  plated Asuaje.

Now with a slim one run margin, Lugo went out for the seventh hoping to keep the tying run off the board. Former Met and 51 first baseman Josh Satin led off with a single and was bunted over to second. Another former 51 James Loney came up to pinch hit and flied out to center allowing Satin to move to third. Lugo got Margot to ground out and end the threat.

Zack Thornton pitched a scoreless eighth to hold the lead. Then in the bottom of the inning, Monell came up with one out and drove a rocket out to right center to give the 51s a big insurance run. Closer Paul Sewald came on and pitched a 1-2-3 ninth to preserve the win for Lugo, and earn the save. It was the fourth win in a row for Las Vegas and moved them into a virtual second place tie with Albuquerque in the PCL Pacific Southern Division.

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Nimmo and Rivera each had two hits, following each other both times. They ended the night with almost identical results, each went 2-4 with an RBI and a run scored. Rivera’s batting average is now a healthy .343.  Taijeron had a triple with two RBI giving him 20 on the season. Lugo battled through seven innings despite some poor defense behind him to pick up his third win. Box Score

Injury note – Shortstop Gavin Cecchini was placed on the 7-day disabled list with a sore back. Edgin was activated by the Mets and optioned to Las Vegas.

Here you can read about and see photos from the ring ceremony.

(photos by Jennifer Nieves)