Stars pitch 3-0 shutout

VANCOUVER -- The start of Monday night's game between the Las Vegas Stars and Vancouver Canadians was held up for about 15 minutes because the Canadians' equipment was late getting in from Fresno.

Some in the crowd of 2,823 at Nat Bailey Stadium would argue that Vancouver's bats still haven't arrived.

Left-hander Shane Dennis, filling in for injured the Brian Tollberg (sore forearm), combined with relievers Matt Whiteside and Will Cunnane to eight-hit the Canadians in a 3-0 shutout victory.

Dennis allowed four hits and four walks while striking out seven in 4 2/3 innings, but left one out shy of qualifying for the win after loading the bases in the fifth.

Enter Whiteside (1-2), who wiggled out of the two-out jam by getting Vancouver designated hitter Ramon Hernandez to pop out to second.

The Canadians, who also left the bases loaded in the first inning, stranded 14 runners in the contest.

The Stars took a 1-0 lead in the first inning off Vancouver lefty Sean Lawrence (0-1) when leftfielder Chris Prieto opened the game with a double, went to third on a flyout by Ed Giovanola and scored on a groundout by Mike Darr.

Las Vegas upped its lead to 3-0 an inning later on a two-run homer by catcher Ben Davis.

* STARS NOTES: Left-handed reliever Roberto Rivera, recently demoted by the San Diego Padres, was to join the Stars on Monday night ... With only two healthy middle infielders currently on the squad, the Stars will get some depth in the form of Rancho Cucamonga utilityman Clayton Snellgrove, who is expected to join the squad tonight.

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