Flores’ tiebreaking homer lifts 51s past Salt Lake

Wilmer Flores’ three-run home run to left field in the top of the fifth inning broke a 4-4 tie and Las Vegas held off Salt Lake for a 7-6 win over the Bees Tuesday in Salt Lake City.

The 51s held a 4-0 lead heading into the bottom of the second inning as Flores had doubled home Eric Campbell and Allan Dykstra hit a two-run home run in the first and Juan Centeno hit a solo homer in the second. But 51s starting pitcher Dana Eveland couldn’t hold the lead as the Bees scored twice in the second and twice more in the third to tie the game at 4-4.

The teams sat through a 1 hour, 23 minute rain delay in the bottom of the fourth before Flores’ fifth homer of the year put Las Vegas back in front. But Salt Lake fought back with runs in the bottom of the fifth and seventh to cut the deficit to 7-6 and had runners at first and second with two outs in the bottom of the ninth before closer Vic Black got Taylor Lindsey to fly out to center field to end the game for his third save. Eric Goedell, who pitched the fourth inning, was the winning pitcher, improving to 2-1. Dustin Richardson (0-1) took the loss.