After a rain-out on Monday, Las Vegas played a make-up double-header on Tuesday. They split those games, as well as their four game series against Albuquerque. The Salt Lake Bees came to town on Wednesday and the 51s defeated them soundly by a score of 10-5. Thursday, Vegas had a scheduled double-header against Salt Lake, meaning they would be playing their 4th and 5th game in three days.
In game one, third baseman Daniel Muno kicked off the scoring with a one out solo homer in the bottom of the first. Meanwhile right-hander Luis Cessa was on the mound for his second start since being promoted to AAA. Cessa struggled in his first start against Albuquerque on Saturday giving up 7 runs on 11 hits in 4.1 innings to take the loss. But Thursday afternoon he was in control, keeping the Bees scoreless for 5 innings.
In the fourth, left fielder Alex Castellanos led off with a double. Then right fielder Travis Taijeron singled to drive him home. After a walk moved him to second, Taijeron attempted to come around and score on a two out single by shortstop Wilfredo Tovar, but was cut down at the plate despite appearing safe.
In the 6th inning, a one-out throwing error by Tovar opened the door for Salt Lake. Right fielder Alfredo Marte, who was hit by a ball he fouled off, was replaced mid at bat by Alex Yarborough, who reached first on Tovar’s error. After Cessa struck out left fielder Roger Kieschnick for the second out, he gave up a single to second baseman Josh Rutledge who then went to second on a throwing error by Castellanos. That would be all for Cessa, who left with a 2-0 lead. Chase Bradford was summoned to get the final out of the inning. But Bradford struggled, throwing a wild pitch allowing Yarbrough to score. Bradford then gave up a double and a single to allow two more runs before getting a ground out to end the inning. The Bees now had a 3-2 lead. Cessa deserved a better fate, but ended up with a no decision.
Vegas rallied in the bottom of the inning. Salt Lake starter Jo-Jo Reyes surrendered a single to Castellanos and was then lifted for Cam Bedrosian who proceeded to walk three consecutive batters. Designated hitter Jayce Boyd pushed Castellanos to second, and first baseman Brandon Allen walked to load the bases. Darrell Ceciliani came in to run for Boyd. While pitching to Taijeron, a wild pitch by Bedrosian allowed Castellanos to score. Taijeron walked to reload the bases for center fielder Cory Vaughn. Vaughn stroked a double into left field driving in all three runners, and ended up on third on a throwing error by Salt Lake shortstop Ryan Jackson. The 51s had regained the lead 6-3.
Bradford started the top of the 7th by giving up a single to first baseman Grant Green, and a walk to Jackson before he was pulled for lefty Chase Huchingson. Huchingson got a quick first out, but then while Yarbrough was batting, a passed ball by catcher Anthony Recker allowed the runners to move up to 2nd and 3rd. Green scored the Bees’ first run on a ground out by Yarbrough. Huchingson caught a line drive back at him to earn the save. Vegas got the victory by a score of 6-4. Castellanos had three hits, and Vaughn’s three-run double put the 51s ahead for good.
Game two was a quieter affair dominated by the pitching of Vegas starter Logan Verrett. Verrett was making his first start since returning from a very effective stint with the Mets where he had an ERA of .073 in 6 appearances coming out of the bullpen. Thursday he pitched 5 scoreless innings, holding the Bees to 3 hits, walking 1 and striking out 6 to earn the win.
The offense consisted of an RBI single by Castellanos in the first, and a sacrifice fly by Allen in the fourth. Castellanos collected two more hits, bringing his total to 5 hits on the day including 3 doubles.
Vegas will finish out their home stand and the first half of the season with two more against Salt Lake. The 51s will go into the All-Star Break in first place in the Pacific Coast League Southern Division.
(All photos by Cirilo Maldonado)