Las Vegas Stars scorecard -- June 23, 1998

Just call Stars' right-hander Matt Clement "streakbuster." Clement, regarded as the top pitching prospect in the San Diego Padres' organization, upped his record to 7-5 by pitching seven innings of seven-hit ball in a 6-4 win over Omaha at Cashman Field on Monday night. Clement allowed just two runs and struck out 10, the third time this season he has struck out 10 or more batters in a game. Perhaps even more impressive is the fact that six of Clements' seven victories have come after Stars' losses. Monday's win snapped a three-game LV losing streak while his June 11th win at Salt Lake stopped a five-game Stars losing string. "He's on a mission," said Stars manager Jerry Royster. "He obviously wants to pitch in the major leagues this year. ... He's getting better each (game)." ... The Stars' bullpen, which already suffered heavy losses with the major league callups of left-hander Roberto Ramirez and right-hander Will Cunnane and the Sunday trade of closer Dario Veras to the Boston Red Sox, got even thinner with loss of Paul Menhart to a foot injury. Menhart, tied for seventh in the Pacific Coast League in apperances (26) and fifth in wins (five), could be sidelined for up to two weeks after badly cutting his right foot on the edge of his motel room bed frame following Sunday night's 5-3 loss at New Orleans. Menhart was rushed to the emergency room of a local hospital where nine stitches were needed to close the gash. He was placed on the seven day disabled list and replaced on the roster by 6-6 right-hander Michael Rossiter, who was 2-0 with a 1.79 ERA at double-A Mobile. ... Another Stars pitcher, Scott Sanders, is also sidelined for 10-14 days with a strained quadriceps suffered in Saturday night's 5-0 loss at New Orleans. Royster said Sanders would have been called up by the San Diego Padres had he not suffered his injury. "They called about an hour after (the injury) happened," Royster said. ... Outfielder James Mouton, optioned to Las Vegas by the Padres over the weekend, still hadn't reported to the Stars on Monday night. Stars officials expect Mouton to be at tonight's game. ... Royster said that left-hander Heath Murray, who has missed his last two starts with a sore elbow, should make his next scheduled start on Thursday night. ... Outfielder Aaron Guiel, who underwent eye surgery last week in San Diego, said it will probably be another week before he can play again.

Upcoming games

The Stars continue their brief homestand tonight with right-hander Brad Kaufman (4-5, 5.82) opposing Omaha right-hander Brian Harrison (4-8, 7.63). Right-hander Stan Spencer (4-3, 4.40) will start Wednesday night's game against Royals' left-hander Kevin Rawitzer (1-0, 1.50) while left-hander Heath Murray (4-4, 3.77) will start Thursday night's finale against Omaha right-hander Roland De La Maza (5-4, 5.78).

By Steve Guiremand

Attendance

Monday's crowd: 3,252.

Season total: 157,749 (36 dates).

Average per date: 4,382.

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