Tuesday, June 15, 2004
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

Fading 51s test manager's patience

Kennedy bemoans inconsistency as losses mount

By MATT YOUMANS
REVIEW-JOURNAL

Nick Theodorou of the 51s steals second base in the fourth inning Monday night as Portland's Ben Risinger lunges for the relay. Photo by Ralph Fountain.

Las Vegas manager Terry Kennedy was irritated and pushed to the edge, and it wasn't the 100-degree heat Monday night that caused his temper to flare.

Kennedy admitted he's running low on patience after watching his team play a month's worth of bad baseball.

The 51s suffered their 18th loss in 26 games, an uninspired 4-2 loss to the Portland Beavers at Cashman Field.

"We're not consistent in any area and that's what bothers me the most," Kennedy said.

Las Vegas (27-38) has the second-worst record in the 16-team Pacific Coast League, and ranks near the bottom of the league in team batting and ERA.

During their ongoing four-game losing streak, the 51s have only 16 hits.

"That's ridiculous," Kennedy said.

The manager cited an error by first baseman Rick Bell and a play that left fielder Nick Theodorou didn't make as proof that the team's sloppy defense has not improved.

"A lot of times it's the non-play that hurts us, the play we should have made," Kennedy said. "That can't happen here. These guys have been playing too long. It's our inconsistency -- offense, defense and pitching."

51s right-hander Mark Johnson turned in six solid innings, allowing one run and striking out six. But his effort was wasted by the bullpen.

Rodney Myers (4-1) took over in the seventh and his second pitch was ripped for a homer by J.J. Furmaniak to tie the game 2-2. The Beavers' Freddy Guzman lined a double to right field to score Alex Fernandez with the winning run in the eighth.

Tagg Bozied added a solo homer in the ninth off 51s right-hander Agustin Montero.

Bell hit an RBI single in the fourth, and Daylan Holt's solo homer in the fifth put the 51s up 2-1.

It could get worse for Las Vegas if top pitching prospect Edwin Jackson gets recalled soon by the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Kennedy is expecting Jackson's recall, but said, "That's not my job. I'm just trying to win a game here."

• NOTES -- The Dodgers received infielder Brian Myrow from the New York Yankees to complete the May 15 trade for 51s pitcher Tanyon Sturtze. Myrow was batting .268 in 47 games for Triple-A Columbus. ... Theodorou went 0-for-3 to end his 12-game hitting streak.