Las Vegas Sun

March 18, 2024

las vegas 51s:

51s beat Tucson to capture the division title; playoffs start Wednesday

51s beat Tucson

Yasmina Chavez

The Las Vegas 51s Eric Campbell slides into home in the fifth inning during their game against Tucson, Saturday, Aug. 31, 2013. The 51s beat Tucson 8-6 to win the Pacific Coast League Southern Division title.

51s Defeat Tucson

The  51s make their way off the field after claiming the Pacific Coast League Southern Division title beating Tuscan 8-6, Saturday, Aug. 31, 2013. Launch slideshow »
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Las Vegas 51s manager Wally Backman celebrates the team's Pacific Coast League Pacific Southern title with a Champagne shower.

A night after losing a ninth-inning lead and blowing a chance to clinch a division title, the Las Vegas 51s pounded their way into the postseason today with an 8-6 win over Tucson.

The 51s actually won the Pacific Coast League Southern Division title while their game was still in progress.

A 4-0 loss by Sacramento to Tacoma in a game that ended during the ninth inning of the Las Vegas-Tucson game sealed the division title for the 51s.

But they made sure the outcome in Tacoma wouldn’t have mattered. Las Vegas mashed out 13 hits to win a slugfest over the Padres, taking the lead for good in the fifth inning on a two-run double by Jamie Hoffmann.

First baseman Eric Campbell led the way with three hits, including a double, while Ruben Tejada and Francisco Pena both homered for the 51s.

The best-of-five playoffs begin Wednesday at Salt Lake, which won the Northern Division.

The 51s resume their series with Tucson at 7:05 p.m. Sunday at Cashman Field.

Games Nos. 3-5 of the series with Salt Lake will be at Cashman Field Sept. 6-8.

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