Wednesday, May 26, 1999 | 10:32 a.m.
It was a simply grand way to end a 12-game homestand.
For what is believed to be the first time in the 17-year history of the Las Vegas Stars, two players hit grand slam home runs in the same game in a 12-5 victory over the Memphis Redbirds on Tuesday night at Cashman Field.
Catcher Ben Davis hit the first slam in the fifth inning, a line drive over the 364-foot sign in right off Memphis starter Mark Nussbeck (5-2).
Rightfielder Aaron Guiel, who also had a solo shot in the first inning, hit the second grand slam of the game for the Stars in the eighth inning off Memphis reliever Mike Busby.
First baseman Mike Mitchell chipped in with a three-run blast in the fourth, the first triple-A homer of his career.
"I think I've seen two grand slams in a game before, but I don't think I've ever seen all 12 runs scored on home runs," Stars manager Mike Ramsey said. "We made the most of our opportunities tonight. It really was a good way to end the homestand, winning the final two games against a good Memphis team like that."
The Stars (23-22) went 7-5 on the homestand. They hit eight home runs in their final two games.
Davis, rated the top catching prospect by Baseball America entering the season, said he hit a hanging curveball for his grand slam.
"That's the first time I've ever hit a grand slam in pro baseball," the 22-year-old Davis said. "What made it extra special was it came in a close game."
The Stars held just a 4-2 lead at the time of Davis' blast.
Guiel was sitting on a 3-1 fastball which he deposited over the fence in left-center. It was the third home run in two games for the left-handed hitting outfielder who has been somewhat overlooked because of the presence of heralded young outfielders Gary Matthews Jr. and Mike Darr. However, Guiel has more home runs (7) than Matthews (2) and the recently promoted Darr (0) combined this season.
"It's been kind of a tough year so far," Guiel said. "We've been hitting the ball hard but have nothing to show for it. ... Hopefully tonight is a sign that we're going to start getting some breaks."
Veteran Stars observers, including longtime general manager Don Logan, could not recall the team ever having two grand slams in a game before.
* SPENCER INJURED: Tuesday night's Stars starter, Stan Spencer, left his second straight game with a groin injury and could be headed to the disabled list.
Spencer pitched just four innings in his 1999 triple-A debut last Thursday against Fresno before leaving with a slight groin strain. Then on Tuesday night, Spencer departed after 2 1/3 innings.
"He'll probably miss a start at least and we may end up DLing him," Ramsey said.
* UP NEXT: The Stars open an eight-game road trip tonight with a four-game series at Colorado Springs. Right-hander Buddy Carlyle (4-2, 3.62 ERA) will start for Las Vegas against Sky Sox right-hander Scott Randall (1-2, 5.40).
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