Stars rally to beat Dukes

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. --- Las Vegas Stars manager Jerry Royster didn't mince words following his team's 8-4 come-from-behind victory over the Albuquerque Dukes here Wednesday night.

"This is an absolutely huge win for us," Royster said after the Stars overcame a 4-1 deficit by scoring seven runs over the final three innings to win for the 13th time in their last 17 games. "We've got a real good thing going now. This is as good as we've been playing all year."

Eddie Williams' eighth inning sacrifice fly broke a 4-4 tie and drove in Dusty Allen with what proved to be the winning run. Center fielder Chris Prieto followed with a two-run double to give Las Vegas some breathing room.

Prieto's big hit came just an inning after he limped off the field after breaking up a double play.

"He's doing fine right now," Royster said. "That was a big hit for us."

Not doing so fine is utilityman Greg LaRocca, who strained his hamstring in Tuesday night's 11-5 win over the Dukes and could be sidelined for a week.

Royster was unsure whether the Stars would put LaRocca on the disabled list so they could bring up another player.

"Probably not," he said. "But (outfielder) Aaron Guiel is doing very well on his rehab assignment at (Rookie League) Peoria (Ariz.), so you never know."

The Stars (58-53) open a key eight-game homestand tonight at Cashman Field against the New Orleans Zephers.

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