51s split against Sacramento, looking to keep winning ways

June 29, 1:01 PMLas Vegas 51s ExaminerJustin Shearin

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Las Vegas 51s first baseman Randy Ruiz. (Photo: lasvegas.51s.milb.com)

The Las Vegas 51s have split two games against the defending Triple-A and PCL champion Sacramento River Cats, Triple-A affiliate of the Oakland A’s, and are looking to make it two-in-a-row Monday night at Cashman Field. 

Saturday was the first game of this four-game stint in Vegas which the 51s lost 11-5. Sacramento’s bats were white-hot against the 51s with  River Cats left fielder Aaron Cunningham going 2-for-3 with a home run and one RBI and right fielder Travis Buck going yard with a two-run bomb in the ninth to seal the deal. Las Vegas tried to keep pace with 12 hits to the River Cats 15 but it just wasn’t enough. 51s center-fielder Buck Coats went 3-for-5 with an RBI and a pair of doubles while league-leading hitter Randy Ruiz was holding an uncharacteristically cold bat, going 1-for-4 with an RBI. The pitching wasn’t there either for the aliens as lefty Fabio Castro took his third loss by giving up seven earned runs off of 10 hits.

But Sunday was a much better day for the 51s with a 6-to-3 win. Vegas put up 12 hits and no errors against Sacramento’s 10 hits and one error. The aliens' bats were more in form as Ruiz recorded his 30th double and his 66th RBI while catcher J. P. Arencibia and left fielder Aaron Mathews both put up a pair of RBIs. The River Cats could not string together any offense with only center fielder Matt Carson going yard in the third with a solo shot. The 51s also had some excellent pitching power with lefty Brian Burres going seven strong innings with eight strikeouts and three runs off of nine hits, and Bryan Bullington closed the show with his second save of the season.

Monday’s game, which is also “Value Menu Monday,” will be at 7:05 PM PDT with left-handed pitcher Marc Rzepczynski taking the mound. So swing by Cashman Field this Monday night for dollar hot dogs, peanuts, popcorn, Cracker Jacks, pretzels, and to cheer on the aliens. They could use the help because the 51s, under Coach Mike Basso, are 31-42 on the season and are holding fourth place in the Southern Pacific Division, 15.5 games behind the Sacramento River Cats.