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51s’ bats silenced in 9-1 loss at Tacoma

The 51s entered this weekend with a team batting average north of .290.

As one of the top hitting teams in the Pacific Coast League, it’s not often that Las Vegas is quieted, so when Tacoma Rainiers starter Cody Martin gave up no runs in a seven-inning outing Friday, he deserved his victory.

The 51s lost 9-1 at Cheney Stadium in Tacoma, Washington, scoring their only run in the eighth inning when Eric Campbell grounded into a bases-loaded double play.

Martin went through the 51s (42-38) quickly, striking out six, a far cry from his last start against the 51s when he gave up six runs in 4 1/3 innings in April.

“We were out in front of the breaking ball,” Las Vegas manager Wally Backman said. “He doesn’t throw hard. I think we hit him pretty good the last time we faced him, and tonight, we hit some balls really hard right at guys. I think Campbell was 0-for-4 with four real hard hits. But he kept the ball down in the strike zone … and he pitched ahead in the count.”

Meanwhile, Las Vegas starter Rafael Montero was tagged for two runs in the first inning, three in the third and two in the sixth. He struggled to find the strike zone, allowing five walks in five-plus innings.

“He pitched behind in the count,” Backman said. “And when he was behind in the count, all he was throwing was fastballs, so he got hit hard when the ball was over the plate.”

Montero, 4-5 with a 6.31 ERA, allowed seven runs, five earned. He has given up at least four runs in more than half his starts this season, and whenever he seems to move forward, he goes backward.

Two starts ago, Backman was pleased with an uptick in his velocity with Montero around 94-96 mph.

On Friday, he was around 87 and hit 92 a couple of times, prompting Backman to say he wasn’t “seeing the same guy every outing.”

“For a guy that I’ve had as long as I’ve had him, he’s been so much more consistent than he has so far this year. Is it mechanical? Tonight he was very, very slow to the plate,” Backman said. “For a guy that has been very, very consistent throughout his career, there’s been a lot of inconsistencies this year.”

Montero left in the sixth with two runners on, and newly promoted Beck Wheeler came on in relief.

In his Triple-A debut, Wheeler struck out all three batters, though he did allow an inherited runner to score.

Gavin Cecchini and Travis Taijeron each had two hits for Las Vegas, but the team went 1-for-10 with runners in scoring position.

They managed just five hits off Martin, and by the time he left, though they had runners in scoring position in the eighth and ninth, the game was out of reach.

“That’s what happens when you get ahead in the count — the pitcher can expand the zone and the hitter has to expand with him,” Backman said. “He pitched ahead in the count tonight and was able to expand the zone.”

Injury updates

Second baseman Dilson Herrera missed his second straight game nursing a tight hamstring.

“We’re just being cautious and giving him a few days off,” Backman said. “I’m going to say he’s going to be out at least one more day. He’ll either play the last day here or the first day at home.”

The 51s sent reliever Chase Huchingson to Port St. Lucie, Florida, paving way for Wheeler on the roster.

This is the second time this season the 51s have sent Huchingson to Florida with a sore elbow, though tests were clear the first time.

Up next

Who: Las Vegas 51s at Tacoma Rainiers

When: 7:05 p.m. Saturday

Where: Cheney Stadium

Starters: Duane Below (4-6, 4.20 ERA), 51s, vs. Donn Roach (4-4, 4.26 ERA)

Next five

Sunday: Las Vegas at Tacoma, 7:05 p.m.

Monday: Salt Lake at Las Vegas, 7:05 p.m.

Tuesday: Salt Lake at Las Vegas, 7:05 p.m.

Wednesday: Salt Lake at Las Vegas, 7:05 p.m.

Thursday: Albuquerque at Las Vegas, 7:05 p.m.

Betsy Helfand can be reached at bhelfand@reviewjournal.com. Follow on Twitter: @BetsyHelfand

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