51s drop eighth straight

For about an inning, things were looking up for the 51s.

After starter Tyler Pill managed to limit the damage to just one New Orleans run in the first inning, Las Vegas erupted for sixth runs in the bottom of the frame.

But that lead quickly disappeared as the Zephyrs got to Pill and Las Vegas lost a run-filled 12-8 tilt Monday at Cashman Field.

The loss was the 51s’ (57-66) eighth straight and marked the second consecutive series they’ve been swept.

“It’s a bad streak for anybody,” manager Wally Backman said. “I don’t know what the numbers are but I guarantee you that our starting pitching’s ERA is very, very high.”

For the third straight game, the Zephyrs jumped on the Las Vegas starter. They nailed Darin Gorski for seven runs on Saturday, Duane Below for seven on Sunday and Pill for eight on Monday.

“The starting pitching has not been consistent very often,” Backman said. “The key is starting pitching. Starting pitching wins games and you use your bullpen accordingly.”

Pill gave up the five-run lead he had been staked to in the third inning when the Zephyrs scored six of their own to make it 8-6.

He left after four innings and the 51s eventually evened the score in the fifth before reliever Chasen Bradford gave up two runs apiece in both the sixth and seventh innings.

Las Vegas brought the tying run to the plate in the eighth in the form of Johnny Monell with the bases loaded, but Monell, who finished the day 2-for-3 with three RBIs, struck out to end that threat.

“Johnny struck out on a 3-2 pitch,” Backman said. “The 3-1 pitch was ball four with the bases loaded down 12-8. It was a bad call. That would have walked in a run.”

Offensively, the 51s had opportunities all night, finishing the game 4-for-12 with runners in scoring position and leaving 11 men on base.

Left fielder Brandon Nimmo finished the day 4-for-6, sparking the team’s big start with a single to lead off the first.

In the four games since he was sent down, Nimmo has racked up eight hits, though he said he hasn’t really felt locked in at the plate since he played sparingly in the two weeks prior.

“Tonight a few balls found some holes and you need that to kind of get you going. I’ve hit some balls, too, that have gone right at people so baseball evens out,” Nimmo said. “(I’ve) just been trying to get a good pitch to hit and put my best swing on it right now and some good things have been happening.”

And though Nimmo had a big night and Monell, Michael Conforto and Matt Reynolds each had multi-hit efforts, it wasn’t enough to overcome another poor 51s showing on the mound.

“I’m pretty sure we’re going to win again. I wouldn’t count us out for the rest of the season just losing, but it is tough, especially after tonight getting up big and then them coming back,” Nimmo said. “Credit to them for fighting. It’s tough in there, but you’ve got to try to keep the mood light and stick with your consistent routine.”

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