Returning home after a 1-7 road trip, the Las Vegas 51s (39-68) faced the Colorado Springs Sky Sox to start a four-game series at Cashman Field Saturday night. Vegas sent recently-signed journeyman right-hander Jonathan Albaladejo to the mound, and got a pleasant surprise as he spun seven scoreless innings. Albaladejo had signed a minor league deal with the Mets earlier this week after splitting last season between the Mexican League and the Atlantic League. He was making his second appearance and first start for the 51s.
But Colorado Springs starter Brandon Woodruff logged five scoreless innings of his own. He was relieved after walking the first batter in the sixth by Tyler Cravy who walked two but finished the inning without relinquishing a run. He retired the first two batters in the seventh before Vegas finally broke through.
Shortstop Amed Rosario walked and then stole second base. First baseman Dominic Smith followed with a booming double which scored Rosario easily to give the 51s a 1-0 lead. Catcher Kevin Plawecki came up next and hit a two-run home run to left to increase the lead to 3-0.
Kevin McGowan pitched a scoreless eighth. Chase Bradford, recently back from his first stint in the big leagues with the Mets, closed the game out with a scoreless ninth to earn his eleventh save on the season.
Top Performers:
Jonathan Albaladejo impressed with seven scoreless innings. He gave up only four hits, walked two and struck out eight. Including his one relief outing, he has yet to allow a run in eleven and a third innings with Las Vegas. Dominic Smith went 2-3 with a walk and drove in the winning run. He has hit safely in 38 of his last 40 games and is hitting .341 on the year. Kevin Plawecki was 2-2 with a two-run homer and walked twice. Amed Rosario swiped his 19th base putting him in position to score the first run of the game.
Up next, the 51s continue their series against Colorado Springs on Sunday with righty Donovan Hand taking the hill.
Dominic Smith looks fantastic out there. Time for the call up.
Watching Amed Rosario play defense is a thing of beauty.
I talked to Dom’s grandma last night; she’s expecting the call
any day now 🙂
I still say its gotta be homestand 8/4. Ticket sales !
I’m sure you’re right. But she’s adorable, and you can’t contradict grandma.
Great article. I really hope it’s soon we can see Smith, Rosario & possibly a different Plawecki in the near future. McGowen I also see as someone who could have a future in 2018 bullpen.
Reports say that the Mets have announced that Rosario will be joining the team in Denver, possibly as early as Tuesday. Other sources are saying that Smith will be only a day or two behind Rosario.