51s fizzle fast, show no spark

The 51s thought they had cause for optimism Thursday at Cashman Field against a division-leading Sacramento team that was reeling from a franchise-record nine-game losing streak and whose starter entered with an 8.74 ERA.

Las Vegas' hopes were quickly dashed. The River Cats, who have won the Pacific Coast League's Pacific South Division four years running, scored seven runs in the first two innings en route to an 8-1 victory in front of a crowd of 4,574.

Sacramento lefty Lenny DiNardo (3-5) combined with three relievers on a three-hitter as the River Cats extended their division lead to five games over Las Vegas, which trailed by a large margin early for the third time in four games.

"This is probably the worst game we played all year," 51s manager Marty Brown said. "They outplayed us in every sense of the word. We looked like we were lost.

"When you're down 6-0 or 7-0 after two innings every night, it gets old."

Las Vegas starter Scott Richmond (5-7) allowed a season-high seven runs on nine hits -- including long home runs -- in five innings, walked two and struck out one as his ERA soared to 6.65.

Sacramento scored three in the first inning and four in the second, getting home runs by Matt Carson and Michael Taylor, the latter a two-run shot.

"If we can hold the damage down, we've got an opportunity to come back, especially with our offense, normally," Brown said. "But it deflated our whole offense after two innings standing out there on defense. We had no chance."

DiNardo carried a one-hit shutout into the sixth, when he gave up a single to Adam Loewen and an RBI double to Jason Lane. He allowed one run on three hits in six innings, walked four and struck out four to trim his ERA to 7.65.

Trystan Magnuson, Jerry Blevins and Fernando Cabrera each threw a hitless inning for Sacramento (51-36). The three hits by Las Vegas (46-41) matched its season low.

51s reliever Ronald Uviedo threw four solid innings, striking out seven, walking none and allowing one run on one hit.

"That was the only bright spot," Brown said. "Other than that, you can scrap the whole game."

■ NOTE -- Toronto Blue Jays infielder Jayson Nix cleared waivers and accepted an assignment to the 51s.

Contact reporter Todd Dewey at tdewey@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0354.