Stars' end four game skid, Arias wins PCL award

SALT LAKE CITY --- How did Las Vegas Stars' third baseman George Arias celebrate the news Monday that he had been named the Pacific Coast League's Player of the Month for June?

With a home run and three more RBIs of course.

Arias, the PCL's RBI leader with 83, hit a two-run homer in the first inning and designated hitter Eddie Williams added a three-run blast in the third to help the Stars salvage the final game of their four game series with the Salt Lake Buzz, 10-7, at rainy and windy Franklin Quest Stadium.

Left fielder Charles Poe and catcher Jimmy Gonzalez each added two RBIs and second baseman Dave Hajek had two hits and stole two bases, including home, to also help lead Las Vegas (46-49), which opens an eight-game homestand at Cashman Field against the Iowa Cubs tonight at 7 p.m.

Arias, who moved to within one homer (26) of the PCL lead held by recently traded Iowa oufielder Derrick White, needs just seven more home runs the remainder of the season to eclipse the team's single-season record of 32 set by Kevin McReynolds in 1983.

Arias won the PCL's June Player of the Month honors for hitting .311 (33-106) with 10 homers and 25 RBI. Why it took the league almost to August to announce the award is anybody's guess.

Brad Kaufman even his record to 7-7 with the victory while Bubba Dixon pitched a 1-2-3 ninth to garner his second save.

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