Outfielder Andrew Brown stretches for a ball during Las Vegas 51s practice at Cashman Field on Tuesday, April 2, 2013. The 51s open the season Thursday against the RiverCats at Sacramento. This is the first year the 51s are affiliated with the Mets.
Thursday, April 4, 2013 | 10:48 p.m.
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Top prospect Travis d’Arnaud had two doubles and scored four runs Thursday in leading the visiting Las Vegas 51s to a 10-5 victory against the Sacramento RiverCats in the season opener for both Triple-A teams.
Las Vegas, in its first season as the New York Mets top minor league affiliate, scored two runs in the top of the first inning in taking the lead for good. Batting in the No. 3 hole, d’Arnaud doubled in the first and later scored on a sacrifice fly by outfielder Andrew Brown.
Brown helped Las Vegas add to its lead in the third inning with a two-run double and finished with four RBIs. Second baseman Wilmer Flores was a perfect 3-for-3, helping the 51s pound out 11 hits.
While d’Arnaud’s season debut was memorable, the Mets’ other top prospect wasn’t as fortunate. Pitcher Zack Wheeler, who is projected to be a front-line rotation pitcher and expected to be promoted to the big leagues in the near future, was roughed up in 3 1/3 innings of work. He yielded three walks and hits in giving up two runs.
Sacramento made things interesting in the bottom of the ninth inning, plating three runs before Robert Carson entered the game for the 51s before to record the final three outs.
This was the first of seven road games to open the season. The 51s’ home opener is April 12 against Colorado Springs.
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