Sanders lifts Stars to victory

A season high crowd of 10, 913 was greeted to a show on Saturday night at Cashman Field. And, it wasnt the fireworks display after the game that was most impressive.

The Stars scored 12 unanswered runs and received a quality pitching performance from Scott Sanders out of the bullpen in defeating the Tucson Sidewinders 12-4.

The win improves the Stars record to 19-16 overall and moves them to within 1/2 of a game of the Sidewinders for first place in the Southern Division of the Pacific Coast League.

Tucson scored four runs in the third inning of off Las Vegas starter Roberto Ramirez. The Sidewinders used five straight two-out hits, including a two-run single from Mike Robertson, to take an early 4-0 advantage.

But, the Stars rallied to score three runs in the fourth inning to make the game closer. George Arias had a run-scoring single and Creighton Gubanich knocked in another with a double.

In the fifth, the Stars plated three more runs and never looked back. Arias belted his seventh home run of the season, a three-run blast to put the Stars ahead for good 6-4. Then, Sanders did the rest.

Sanders, who spent all of last season with the Detroit Tigers, was dominant. He struck out the side in both the sixth and seventh innings, while only scattering two hits in four scoreless innings of work. For his efforts, Sanders got the save as Al Newman pitched the fourth and fifth innings to earn the win.

Sanders, who finished with eight strike outs, pitched with confidence. "I felt good," he said. "I basically came in the game just trying to get ahead. My main objective was to keep the lead."

The Stars offense batted around in the sixth to help build a cushion for Sanders. They scored five runs on four hits, highlighted by a three-run double from Charles Poe. Dave Hajek and Greg LaRocca each had RBI singles in the inning. Sanders proceeded to retire the Sidewinders in order in the final two innings.

"Ill fell behind some guys and still was able to get them out," Spencer said. "I made some good pitches when I was behind in the count to get some groundballs."

The Stars open up a four game series against the Vancouver Canadians, the Anaheim Angeles AAA affiliate, tomorrow at 3:30 p.m. Heath Murray (2-1, 3.76) is scheduled to pitch for the Stars.

NOTES: Ramirez made his first start in American professional baseball after throwing eight seasons in the Mexican Summer League. Ramirez, who had a career mark of 73-32 in Mexico, gave up six hits and four earned runs in three innings of work. He struck out four and walked two...Charles Poe had two doubles, extending his doubles streak to three games...Juan Melo batted from both sides of the plate when the Stars batted around in the sixth inning. He started the rally off with a double from the left side of the plate and struck out to end the inning from the right side... Every batting spot in the Stars order scored a run except the pitcher....Outfielder Ruben Rivera was called up by the Padres after James Mouton was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a quad injury.

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