Stars' bats silent in loss at Iowa

DES MOINES, Iowa -- Stars pitcher Heath Murray allowed the Iowa Cubs to score three runs in the first inning and his offense managed only two hits as Las Vegas lost 5-2 Monday night.

Third baseman George Arias accounted for both Stars runs. He hit his 35th home run of the season, a solo shot, and also smacked an RBI single. Second baseman Greg LaRocca recorded the other run and hit.

Murray fell to 7-10 on the season. He lasted six innings, giving up four runs on eight hits and a walk. He struck out six Cubs.

Iowa starter Dave Swartzbaugh allowed just two hits, including Arias' blast, over 6 2/ 3 innings to raise his record to 13-5. Swartzbaugh struck out four and walked three.

Micah Franklin laced a two-run triple in the opening frame after Alan Zinter hit an RBI single.

The Stars' loss dropped them to 61-60 on the season. They now are 7 1/2 games behind Fresno in the Pacific Coast League Southern Division standings. Fresno overtook Salt Lake on Monday with a 3-2 victory over Colorado Springs.

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