Hajek provides spark off the bench

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. --- Las Vegas Stars manager Jerry Royster wanted to give second baseman Dave Hajek the night off here Tuesday.

But Royster's plans were foiled when starting second baseman Greg LaRocca had to leave the game after pulling his hamstring while running out a first inning single.

Not to worry. Hajek came off the bench to smack three hits and score four runs in helping lead the Stars to a 11-5 victory over the Albuquerque Dukes.

Shortstop Juan Melo and center fielder James Mouton also had three hits each and left fielder Dusty Allen drove in four runs as Las Vegas won for the 12th time in its last 16 games.

Melo hit his sixth home run of the year while third baseman George Arias added a two-run first inning double that helped propel the Stars to a 8-0 lead after six innings.

Right-hander Brad Kaufman (9-8) picked up the victory by allowing just five hits and three earned runs in six-plus innings on the mound.

Shortstop Keith Johnson had a two-run triple and a two-run homer to lead the Dukes.

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