Darr belts 450-foot home run in defeat

SALT LAKE CITY -- For a team that has its share of hot-shot prospects and veteran big leaguers, the Las Vegas Stars sure seem to have a hard time scoring runs these days.

One day after ending a six-game losing streak by eking out a 2-1 win over the Salt Lake Buzz at Franklin Covey Field, Las Vegas found itself getting three-hit in a 6-2 loss to the Buzz on Monday night.

Right-hander Jason Ryan (1-0), one of the key prospects obtained by the Minnesota Twins in its trade of ace reliever Rick Aguilera to the Chicago Cubs earlier this year, made his triple-A debut a memorable one for Salt Lake. The 23-year-old gave up a two-run homer to rightfielder Mike Darr in the first inning but then settled down to no-hit the Stars over the next 5 2/3 innings en route to the win.

In fact, after Darr's 450-foot homer to right-center with one out in the first, Las Vegas managed just a seventh-inning double by leftfielder Aaron Guiel the rest of the night.

Stan Spencer (0-2), sidelined for six weeks with a groin injury, came off the disabled list and started for Las Vegas. He pitched just two innings, allowing six hits and three runs (two earned) before giving way to Bryan Wolff.

Salt Lake scored its first run on a double by former Basic High star Chris Latham and an RBI single by first baseman David Ortiz.

Game 3 of the four-game series is tonight with Stars lefty Al Drumheller (0-2) facing Salt Lake righty Shane Bowers (4-0).

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