Rainiers’ offensive outburst proves too much for 51s

The 51s allowed six runs over the first three innings, then gave up six more in the seventh, losing 14-4 to the Tacoma Rainiers in a Pacific Coast League game in Tacoma, Wash.

Jeff Clement hit a two-run homer off Las Vegas starter Brian Burres in the first inning to get the rout started. Prentice Redman had an RBI double in the second, and Mike Morse keyed a three-run third with a two-run double to make it 6-0.

The 51s got two runs back on an Aaron Mathews RBI single and a Kevin Howard RBI double in the fourth, but the Rainiers responded with a Chris Shelton two-run homer in the fifth to go up 8-2.

Howard hit a solo shot in the sixth inning before Tacoma finished its offensive onslaught in the seventh. Erick Monzon's two-run single fueled the six-run outburst, and Jerry Owens had an RBI single.

Howard got another solo homer in the eighth to finish 3-for-4 with three RBIs for the 51s.

Burres (4-6, 4.99 ERA) took the loss, allowing 12 runs (10 earned) on 13 hits and two walks in six-plus innings.

Tacoma snapped a five-game losing streak.