Mouton should boost Stars offensive

The Las Vegas Stars offense, in a deep slump because of a rash of key injuries and the call up of slugger Eddie Williams to the San Diego Padres, should get a big boost today with the arrival of outfielder James Mouton.

Mouton, the Pacific Coast League's most valuable player in 1993 with Tucson, has been sent to Las Vegas for a 20-day injury rehab assignment by the Padres. He had been placed on the 15-day disabled list for a strained left quadriceps on May 16th.

Because he's on injury rehab, Mouton, who probably won't make his Las Vegas debut until Thursday night, doesn't count against the Stars' 23-man roster.

"He'll probably hit third," Stars manager Jerry Royster said. "He's a good player who had an outstanding spring for us. He's a very talented kid who can really run."

Mouton was hitting just .184 for the Padres this season. In 30 games, he had nine hits in 49 at-bats, including two doubles and a triple, and six RBI. However, the four-year major league veteran was the MVP in the PCL in 1993 when he hit .315 and led the league in hits (172), doubles (42) and runs scored (126).

Mouton's presence figures to add some pop to a Las Vegas lineup that has scored two runs or less in nine of its last 16 games.

RIVERA SPARKLES WITH PADRES: Outfielder Ruben Rivera, who struggled badly at Las Vegas with just a .144 average and three homers, has drawn high praise for his defense since his surprising callup to the Padres on May 16.

"He's as good as there is defensively," Padres manager Bruce Bochy said. "He's just got instincts, a good arm and he charges the ball well. There are only a few players like that. And he's taking good cuts at the plate. Ruben is showing he doesn't want to go back to triple-A."

Rivera tossed out two runners at third in his first three starts for the Padres. But it's been his hitting that may have been an even bigger surprise. He had a two-run triple and a homer in the Padres' 12-1 victory Tuesday night at Arizona and is hitting .333.

Rivera, who was called up when Mouton went on the disabled list, said a phone call from his cousin, Yankees relief ace Mariano Rivera, just before the promotion played a key role in his turnaround.

"I told him my mind was confused, and I was thinking too much, that I was trying too much," Rivera told the San Diego Union-Tribune. "He listened to me. It helped. In triple-A, I wasn't doing too good, and he told me, 'What's going on? That's not the Ruben I know. Let's go play ball. I know you can play ball.' He tried to help me feel comfortable, because he knows what I can do."

RAMIREZ IMPRESSES TOWERS: Stars left-handed reliever Roberto Ramirez, who struck out both batters he faced in front of San Diego Padres general manager Kevin Towers last week, made an impression on Towers.

"I can see him, at some point, pitching for us," Towers said.

But Padres outfielder Tony Gwynn, an eight-time National League batting champ, had a piece of advice for the former Mexican League star.

"He needs to pitch inside to keep hitters honest," Gwynn, who faced Ramirez in spring training, said. "He's got that good arm, but he didn't cover the inside part of the plate. He went away, away, away. I don't know if he didn't want to hit me, or what. The first thing I look at with lefties is, 'Do they pitch inside?"'

When informed of Gwynn's comments, Stars manager Jerry Royster came to Ramirez's defense.

"He does do a good job of pitching inside," Royster said. "He can throw pretty much where he wants to. He goes into a game and I tell him something and he says, 'OK.' Then he goes out and does it."

Gwynn did say he believes Ramirez could eventually become a key member of San Diego's bullpen.

"In time," he said. "He's got pretty good stuff. He's got pretty good command."

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