Stars' Carlyle silences Cannons

CALGARY -- The Las Vegas Stars flew to Vancouver shortly after Sunday afternoon's 5-2 victory over the Calgary Cannons at Burns Stadium.

It was a much smaller travel party than normal.

Injuries continue to plague Mike Ramsey's squad, which has five infielders -- shortstop Juan Melo (broken finger), utilityman Greg LaRocca (torn chest muscle), third baseman Carlos Garcia (severe foot bruise), infielder John Powers (shoulder) and first baseman Mike Mitchell (strained quadriceps) -- on the disabled list. Another, shortstop Rico Rossy, flew to Puerto Rico after Sunday's game to attend the funeral of his sister-in-law, who was killed in an auto accident on Saturday.

Throw in opening-night starter Brian Tollberg (sore arm), who is also on the DL, and trainer George Poulis definitely has his hands full these days.

"It's been a tough time for us injury-wise," Ramsey said. "I can't even name all the guys who are hurt right now. Now we're going to lose Rico for a few days. We barely have nine guys who are able to play right now."

But those nine were more than enough Sunday thanks to the brilliant pitching of Buddy Carlyle and the timely hitting of first baseman Dusty Allen.

Carlyle (3-1) limited the Cannons to just five hits and two earned runs over eight innings, striking out five. He retired the final 13 batters he faced before giving way to Will Cunnane at the start of the ninth and Cunnane picked up his third save.

Allen highlighted a four-run seventh with a bases-loaded double which drove in three runs to break a 2-2 tie.

Chris Prieto had an RBI double and David Newhan added an RBI triple for the Stars, who open a four-game series tonight at Vancouver before returning home Friday night for a 12-game homestand.

"We've just got to stay close and hopefully we will weather these injuries," Ramsey said.

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