Stars' bats silenced by Buzz

After a brief eruption, it appears as if the Las Vegas Stars' bats are, once again, dormant.

On the heels of two games in which they produced a total of 14 runs, the Stars returned to recent form, dropping the second game of a doubleheader to the Salt Lake Buzz, 3-1, before an announced crowd of 3,022 Tuesday night at Cashman Field.

"I don't have an explanation for (our inconsistency on offense)," said Stars manager Mike Ramsey, whose club has been shutout twice in the past week. "Our pitching has given us good enough performances and kept us in ballgames, but we haven't been doing enough offensively."

A big reason for the Stars impotency in the nightcap was Salt Lake starter Kevin Ohme (3-2). The 6-1 southpaw pitched five of the seven innings (the maximum allowed in minor league doubleheaders), surrendering only three hits and one unearned run. Tony Fiore, who fanned two batters in as many innings of relief, earned his 13th save of the season.

The Stars (52-64) mounted a minor threat in the seventh and final inning. After Wiki Gonzalez led off with a flyout to right, Wayne Kirby and Jake Thrower drew back-to-back walks. With the tying runs on base, David Newhan hit a line drive that seemed destined for center field. Miraculously, Fiore stabbed the ball, then threw to second from the seat of his pants to double off Kirby.

Las Vegas' lone tally came in the sixth inning courtesy of a passed ball.

The Stars wasted another solid outing by a starter. Shane Dennis (2-8), a lanky left-hander, went five innings, striking out three and giving up three earned runs. The big blow came in the sixth. With Las Vegas trailing 1-0, Salt Lake's cleanup hitter Brian Richardson pulled a Dennis breaking ball over the left field fence with a man on base. A Richardson single in the third accounted for the other Salt Lake (57-57) RBI.

* GAME 1: In the opener of the twinbill -- the completion of a game suspended due to rain July 7 -- Las Vegas defeated Salt Lake 7-4 behind a strong pitching performance from starter Buddy Carlyle.

Carlyle (10-7), who entered the game with a 5.06 ERA, pitched 8 2/3 innings, surrendering four runs (three earned). Matt Skrmetta, summoned in the ninth when Carlyle began to fade, got the final out of the game and earned the save.

Newhan went 3-for-3, including a two-run homer. Gary Matthews Jr. added a solo shot.

* ARIAS RETURNS: Infielder George Arias looked rusty in his return to triple-A after being sent down by the San Diego Padres. Inserted as the designated hitter in game two, Arias went 0-for-3 with two strikeouts.

"We left it up to (George) whether he wanted to play or not," said Ramsey. "He took some BP yesterday, then came to me today and said he wanted to DH. Regarding tomorrow, I imagine he'll play some third base for us."

Arias' slow start is understandable. He hasn't played in the 11 days since the demotion.

* UP NEXT: The Stars continue the five-game homestand against the Buzz tonight at 7:05 p.m. Pete Smith (1-4, 5.45) is scheduled to start for Las Vegas. Salt Lake hasn't determined who will pitch.

archive