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Torres Dominant, Hicks Hits Grand Slam In 7-1 Vegas Victory

By Fan Shot

June 10, 2013 1 Comment

69vegas

Las Vegas 7, Tacoma 1

While Carlos Torres held down the fort with yet another terrific outing, the 51s bats came alive in a big way late as they went on the best the Tacoma Rainiers by a final score of 7-1.

Looking to build on his last outing, a near-spotless, three-hit shutout of the Fresno Grizzlies in which he fanned eleven, Torres took the hill with dominance in mind. The 30-year old California native continued to have excellent command and significant life on his pitches as he cruised to his second straight complete game. He needed just 101 pitches to handle the Grizzlies through his nine frame gem, 66 of which went for strikes. Unlike in his shutout this past week, Torres did allow a lone run to cross on a Rick Poythress groundout that scored Brad Miller. Despite the single run surrendered, the offensive output by the Vegas lineup provided more than enough breathing room to allow Torres to cruise on to his sixth victory on the season.

The Las Vegas offense wasted no time in getting Torres some run support as Brian Bixler got himself on with an infield hit to lead off the game and eventually came around to score with the first run of the game on a Wilmer Flores RBI single.

After that the bats were silenced by Fresno starter Brandon Maurer, who ended up taking a tough loss, and did not score until they got into the Grizzlies’ bullpen.

It was then that batting practice started for the 51s as Eric Campbell homered in the top of the seventh, his sixth of the season, to make it a 2-0 game. Then in the eighth, the game was blown open with one key swing of the bat. After Josh Satin doubled to lead off the inning followed by an Andrew Brown walk and a Wilmer Flores knock—his third of the day—Eric Campbell drew a bases loaded walk to regain the 51s’ two-run lead.

Then came the big hit, or rather the grand one. With the bases juiced and just one out, Brandon Hicks, now taking over shortstop duties since Quintanilla’s promotion, delivered as he belted a grand slam to left to put the final nail in the coffin, making it a 7-1 score, a lead Vegas would ride onto victory, their 33rd of the season.

The Las Vegas 51s will be getting some reinforcements as Ike Davis, Mike Baxter and Robert Carson have been optioned to Triple-A while Josh Satin, Collin Cowgill and Josh Edgin have been called up.

Key Stats

Carlos Torres: 9.0 IP, 2 H, 2 BB, 1 ER, 4 K

Brian Bixler: 2-for-4, 1 2B, 1 BB, 1 R

Wilmer Flores: 3-for-4, 1 BB, 1 RBI, 1 R

Eric Campbell: 1-for-4, 1 HR, 1 BB, 2 RBI, 2 R

Brandon Hicks: 1-for-3, 1 HR, 1 BB, 4 RBI, 1 R

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