Kirby, Stars pummel Buzz

Wayne Kirby's major-league career has taken a detour through his adopted hometown of Las Vegas, but the Stars' outfielder/designated hitter hasn't given up on trying to get back to the big leagues.

"I'm a major-league ballplayer and sometimes you take a dead-end road and sometimes you get off the interstate and you're trying to find your way back to the interstate," Kirby said. "I feel like that's where I'm at right now."

If he continues to produce the way he did in the Stars' 17-1 rout of Salt Lake Wednesday night at Cashman Field, Kirby will find himself on the expressway back to the major leagues.

Kirby hit three home runs and drove in five runs to spark the Stars' biggest offensive explosion of the season.

The 35-year-old Kirby lined a three-run home run down the right-field line in the second inning, hit a solo shot to right in the seventh and added another solo shot to left in the eighth to run his season home run total to eight.

But that's not to say that Kirby suddenly fancies himself as a home run hitter.

"I'm a line-drive hitter and I've always been a line-drive hitter," Kirby said. "I'm not a home run hitter, but I'm a hitter (who), if I get my pitch, I can hit it out -- and I did that up in the major league level, too."

Although Kirby has been forced to share playing time with some of the San Diego Padres' outfield prospects since joining the Stars in early June, Stars manager Mike Ramsey said it hasn't had a negative impact on Kirby's attitude.

"It's not the most ideal situation for him," Ramsey said. "He's got some young kids in front of him who need to play so it hasn't been easy for him to sit at times -- and it hasn't been easy for me to find the (playing) time for him that he probably deserves.

"But he seems to be fine with (his role). He seems to have a great attitude -- outwardly, anyways -- but what's going on inside of him, I'm not sure. But he sure has been good for us."

Kirby, who has played for the Indians, Dodgers and Cardinals, said he isn't having any sleepless nights worrying about whether he will get back to the major leagues.

"I'm just having fun and anything can happen -- anything still can happen," he said. "You never know, somebody might go down (with an injury) in the big leagues, on a pennant-race team.

"But the main thing is I'm having fun. I'm just trying to stay consistent and hit the ball hard -- that's all you can do."

* GOING UP? According to a report in the San Diego Union-Tribune, the San Diego Padres will call up catcher Wiki Gonzalez from the Stars within the next 10 days.

Gonzalez, who was promoted to Las Vegas from double-A Mobile on July 15, is hitting .273 with five home runs in 23 games for the Stars, but has seen his average fall from .377 since Aug. 1.

Ramsey confirmed that the Padres have talked about promoting the 25-year-old catcher, but added that "nothing was imminent."

* FALL BALL: Two members of the Stars will continue their season in the Arizona Fall League. Second baseman David Newhan and right-handed pitcher Jim Sak are scheduled to get in some extra work after the conclusion of the Pacific Coast League season next month.

Newhan said the Padres want him to work at shortstop and third base this fall in an attempt to convert him into a utility infielder. Newhan is hitting .284 with 13 home runs in 81 games in his rookie season in the Pacific Coast League.

Sak, who was promoted from Double-A in June, is 2-1 with a 3.20 earned-run average and five saves in 17 appearances with Las Vegas.

* IN THE GAME: While Kirby stole the show Wednesday night with his three homers and five RBIs, he was not the lone Stars player to enjoy a successful night at the plate.

George Arias made his first start at third base since joining the Stars and had three hits, including a three-run homer and an RBI double, and drove in four runs. Dusty Allen also had three hits and drove in four runs and Newhan, Mike Darr and Rico Rossy each had two hits.

"It's nice to be on the other end of that thing," Ramsey said of the lopsided win. "We've had a couple of those where we've gotten pounded like that and it was sure nice to have it happen in our favor tonight."

Pete Smith (4-7) scattered eight hits and allowed only one run in seven innings in his eighth start since joining the Stars. Brendan Sullivan tossed two scoreless innings in relief.

* UP NEXT: The Stars conclude the series and homestand tonight at 7:05. Stan Spencer (4-4, 5.11) will make the start for the Stars and will face Buzz left-hander Gary Rath (3-7, 5.22).

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