51s fall to Zephyrs in 10 innings for sixth straight loss

The 51s had their backs to the wall.

One out from losing their sixth straight game, Eric Campbell delivered a game-tying single with two outs in the ninth inning.

It was a sign of life for a team that had been struggling the past week.

But after Las Vegas left the bases loaded in the ninth, the New Orleans Zephyrs came back for a 9-8 win in 10 innings Saturday night at Cashman Field.

Matt Juengel’s two-run homer off Jeff Walters (2-3) sent Las Vegas (57-64) to another loss as its longest losing streak of the season continued.

“I thought the players, they fought back tonight,” manager Wally Backman said. “But we couldn’t capitalize. We left guys on base. We left the bases loaded one time. We had opportunities earlier in the game to get the lead back, and we definitely had a chance to win it in the ninth and (Kevin) Plawecki popped up.”

Las Vegas ace Gabriel Ynoa was supposed to start Saturday but was called up to the New York Mets, and 2,500 miles away, he won his first major league game.

In his place, Darin Gorski, who was recently moved from the rotation to the bullpen, made the start, and the Zephyrs teed off.

“You’ve got guys going up and down, and more so probably this year than in years past because of what’s going on in New York (with) the fight to get to the playoffs,” Backman said. “And I get it 100 percent. I get it. Those guys when they’re hot here, they need to go to the big leagues if they can help the big league club, but it’s tough.”

The Zephyrs (57-62) scored twice off Gorski in the first inning on back-to-back home runs from Tomas Telis and Xavier Scruggs.

The 51s responded with five runs in the second, thanks in large part to Gorski, who doubled to center and drove in two. They also picked up runs on Plawecki’s home run, Brandon Nimmo’s double and Campbell’s single.

But the Zephyrs chipped away at that lead with two runs in the third and three in the fifth to retake the lead at 7-5 before the 51s came back in the ninth. Seven runs were charged to Gorski, though both runners Chase Huchingson inherited scored.

51s relievers Beck Wheeler, Josh Smoker and Paul Sewald turned in scoreless outings to keep the Zephyrs’ lead at 7-5 long enough for Las Vegas to come back in the ninth before Juengel sunk them an inning later.

“The major league club’s trying to fight and stay in the wild-card race, and we’ve lost a lot of players, there’s no doubt,” Backman said. “It definitely changes the chemistry of the club, but you’re supposed to have one common goal, and that’s to go out there expecting to win, and I can’t honestly tell you that I have 25 players that are thinking that.”

Up next

Who: New Orleans Zephyrs vs. Las Vegas 51s

When: 7:05 p.m. Sunday

Where: Cashman Field

Starters: Dylan Axelrod (7-6, 3.70 ERA), Zephyrs, vs. Duane Below (5-10, 5.04 ERA)

Next five

Monday: New Orleans at Las Vegas, 7:05 p.m.

Tuesday: Round Rock at Las Vegas, 7:05 p.m.

Wednesday: Round Rock at Las Vegas, 7:05 p.m.

Thursday: Round Rock at Las Vegas, 7:05 p.m.

Friday: Round Rock at Las Vegas, 7:05 p.m.

Update

The New York Mets recalled Gabriel Ynoa, who was scheduled to start Saturday for the 51s. Ynoa tossed a scoreless inning for New York and picked up the win against the Padres. The Mets also optioned pitcher Logan Verrett back to Las Vegas along with infielder Matt Reynolds.

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