Las Vegas Stars scorecard -- July 24, 1998

By Steve Guiremand

What's that old baseball saying about a double play being a pitcher's best friend? Las Vegas left-hander Heath Murray and his teammates can attest to that fact after the Stars turned a team record six double plays in Thursday night's 5-4 win over the Iowa Cubs at Cashman Field. Five of the double plays came behind Murray, who upped his record to 7-7 despite allowing 10 hits and four walks in just six innings on the mound. "We needed every one of them," Stars interim manager Tye Waller said. "I can't remember the last time I saw a team get that many double plays in a game." The Stars nearly had a Pacific Coast League-record tying seventh double play in the ninth inning, but speedy Iowa second baseman Jason Maxwell easily beat second baseman Dave Hajek's relay throw. "Heath did a good job," Hajek said. "He got the ground balls when he needed them." ... The victory was the Stars' fourth straight, including the last three under Waller's helm. He'll give the managing reigns back to Jerry Royster, back from a short family vacation in Newport Beach, tonight. "I enjoyed it," Waller, the team's director of minor league instruction, said. "But now I can relax and get back to what I was doing before." ... Padres' GM Kevin Towers is expected to be in the stands tonight to watch right-hander Matt Clement's start. ... Left-handed reliever Roberto Ramirez, optioned back to Las Vegas from San Diego, isn't expected to join the Stars until Sunday. ... Catcher Greg Myers ended his three-day rehab assignment with a 1 for 4 effort Thursday night. Myers went 5 for 9 in his three games with the Stars.

Upcoming games

The Stars conclude their series with the Iowa Cubs tonight at Cashman Field with a special 6:05 start. Right-hander Matt Clement (9-5, 3.57) will oppose undefeated Iowa right-hander Kennie Steenstra (9-0, 3.07). The Stars then open a four-game series with the Albuquerque Dukes on Saturday night at 7 p.m. at Cashman Field.

Attendance

Thursday's crowd: 3,048.

Season total: 226,723 (50 dates).

Average per date: 4,534.

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