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Rafael Montero Takes No-hit Bid into Sixth, Vegas Get Comeback Win

By Jennifer Nieves

April 30, 2017 3 Comments

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After a three game losing streak, the Las Vegas 51s were a team in need of a lift. One came on Saturday night against Albuquerque when Rafael Montero took the mound; however it was not without ups and downs.

Montero had a rough go of it to start the season up with the Mets. After returning to Las Vegas, Montero had logged five scoreless innings in his start against Sacramento this past Sunday. The 51s ultimately lost that game in extra innings. So in Montero’s next start they would undoubtedly hope for a better outcome. The game started out quietly on both sides. Just a handful of baserunners reached. Dominic Smith singled for the first hit of the game in the second. Then after carving his way through the Isotopes lineup, Montero singled in his first at bat in the third. Everything was going smoothly for the right-hander.

It wasn’t until the bottom of the fourth that Vegas was able to get on the board by manufacturing a run. Amed Rosario led off with a single to left. Then he stole second and moved to third on a fly ball by Smith. Rosario scored on a sac fly by Travis Taijeron.

Now with a one run lead, Montero retired the side in order in the fifth. With two outs in the bottom of the fifth, Montero collected his second hit, this time a double. Vegas center fielder Desmond Jennings tripled to score Montero.

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In the top of the sixth, a one out single by Albuquerque third baseman Derrik Gibson ended the no-hit bid. It was really the first ball that was well struck off Montero. But it was followed by another; Isotopes first baseman Jordan Patterson launched a home run to left to tie the game.

That was all for Montero who was relieved by righty Ben Rowen. Rowen gave up a double and then a slow roller, which he picked up and threw wildly to first base allowing a run to score. After a ground out, another single plated a fourth run before Rowan was able to close out the inning.

Now down by two, Rosario quickly got one run back, leading off the sixth with a towering home run, his first of the season. Rowen pitched a clean seventh, and Beck Wheeler followed with a scoreless eighth.

In the bottom of the inning Jennings walked to lead off. Gavin Cecchini laid down a perfect sacrifice bunt to move him over. Rosario grounded out moving the tying run to third. The Isotopes then opted to intentionally walk Smith. However Taijeron came up and doubled to center, driving in Jennings and Smith allowing the 51s to regain the lead at 5-4.

Paul Sewald came on in ninth to lock down the much-needed win and notch the save.

Top Performers:

Rafael Montero glided through five and a third no-hit innings. He ended up giving up two hits, and two runs, walking three and striking out nine. He also collected two hits of his own, scoring one run.  Amed Rosario was two for four, including his first home run, and scored two runs. Dom Smith was two for three with a run scored. Travis Taijeron collected a sac fly as well as a double to drive in the winning run.

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