Division clash keeps 51s focused
The Pacific Coast League playoffs don't begin until next week. But don't tell that to the Las Vegas 51s and the El Paso Chihuahuas.
As far as they're concerned, the playoffs are underway.
The two top teams in the PCL's Pacific Southern Division are going head to head this week in a four-game series at Cashman Field, and the 51s' lead over El Paso was cut to a half-game Monday night. Carlos Gomez's three-run triple in the top of the ninth inning rallied the Chihuahuas to a 6-5 victory in the series opener in front of a crowd of 3,858.
Dilson Herrera's three-run homer in the seventh had given Las Vegas a 5-3 lead. However, the 51s' bullpen and defense faltered in the ninth as El Paso loaded the bases with nobody out on two walks and an error. Gomez lined an 0-2 pitch by John Church to clear the bases.
"We're in a fight," 51s manager Wally Backman said. "You've got to dig a little deeper, play a little bit better than you played over the course of the season. Guys need to step up.
"But as long as everyone's giving me everything they got, I can live with the results."
The 51s were shorthanded because major league rosters expand from 25 to 40 players today and the New York Mets called up four players. Infielder Eric Campbell, catcher Kevin Plawecki and outfielders Eric Young Jr. and Kirk Nieuwenhuis joined the Mets, who are in their own chase for a National League playoff spot.
Backman is getting some help as right-hander Logan Verrett was reassigned to Las Vegas and will start tonight Game 2 of the series at 7:05.
The players who remain are excited to be playing for something meaningful.
"It's a fun time of the year," shortstop Matt Reynolds said. "But you don't want to make it bigger than it is. Just play the right way and treat it as another game."
Reynolds said there are enough veterans in the 51s' clubhouse to make sure everyone is on board with the task at hand.
"We lost four really good players," he said. "But the rest of the guys we have want to win and with the intensity picking up, I don't think there'll be a problem with getting after it."
The 51s quickly fell behind Monday as Hunter Renfroe bombed a 445-foot solo homer off Darin Gorski in the first inning. Las Vegas got the run back in its half of the first when Johnny Monell's double down the left-field line scored Herrera, who singled, stole second and took third on Reynolds' fly out.
Las Vegas went ahead 2-1 in the third on Reynolds' opposite-field homer to right, but Gomez pulled El Paso even in the fourth by homering off Gorski. Gomez was 3-for-5 with four RBIs.
Ramiro Pena's two-out triple in the seventh put El Paso ahead 3-2.
* NOTES — No 51s made the 12-man PCL All-Star team announced Monday. El Paso placed outfielder Alex Dickerson and pitcher Jon Edwards on the team. ... Left-hander Jason Lane (10-9, 5.71 ERA) will start for El Paso tonight against Verrett (4-2, 3.57). ... Presuming the 51s make the playoffs, tickets for the best-of-5 conference championship series against Fresno are on sale at Cashman Field and Ticketmaster. Prices range from $11 to $25. Dates for home games involving the 51s would be Sept. 11 and, if necessary, Sept. 12 and 13. Games 1 and 2 are in Fresno on Sept. 9 and 10.
Contact reporter Steve Carp at scarp@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2913. Follow him: @stevecarprj
