51s come up short in opener

By Ray Brewer (contact)

Thursday, April 9, 2009 | 9:01 p.m.

The Las Vegas 51s minor league baseball team scored two runs in the first inning of their season opener Thursday at Colorado Springs.

But they could not hold the lead, stranding 15 runners on base and surrendering four runs in the fifth inning of a 9-6 defeat.

The 51s were just 3-of-16 with runners in scoring position to drop their inaugural game as the Toronto Blue Jays Triple-A affiliate.

Las Vegas leadoff hitter Joe Inglett, who led the 51s with three hits, opened the game with a double and scored on a Randy Ruiz RBI groundout. Russ Adams plated the second run of the first inning on a sacrifice fly to score Scott Campbell, who singled.

Las Vegas starter Wade Miller only gave up two hits in 4 and 2/3 innings, but walked seven batters and gave up a solo home run to Matt Murton in the fourth inning. Only two of the seven runs Miller gave up were earned.

Catcher J.P. Arencibia had two hits and two RBIs for the 51, and Campbell had two hits and two runs.

This was the first of four games at Colorado, which will be followed by a four-game series at Salt Lake. The 51s’ home opener in next Friday at 7:05 p.m. against Colorado Springs at Cashman Field.