51s hurry to sleep, aim to sweep River Cats in early start

Sleep fast. That's what the 51s planned to do after beating Sacramento 5-2 on Monday night at Cashman Field.

Las Vegas will try to complete a four-game sweep of the River Cats at 10:30 a.m. today in a special early start for "Kids School Day."

"It's a quick turnaround, but we'll go out, compete and see if we can get this last one," manager Lorenzo Bundy said. "Both teams have got to do it. As my old friend Tony Taylor told me, 'Sleep fast.' "

The 51s reached double digits in hits (10) for the third straight game, and four Las Vegas pitchers teamed for 13 strikeouts -- issuing no walks for the first time this season -- while scattering 14 hits.

Sacramento stranded 10 runners in scoring position.

51s starter Jonathan Meloan gave up one run on 10 hits in 5 2/3 innings and had seven strikeouts to run his record to 2-0 with a 1.66 ERA.

"The big thing is he didn't walk anybody," Bundy said. "That's a big thing in this ballpark. If you don't walk anybody, you'll have a chance to get some outs and double plays. Our pitchers stranded a lot of base runners."

Dwayne Pollok followed with 1 1/3 scoreless innings, and Mike Myers and Brian Falkenborg worked an inning each as Las Vegas (9-9) won its third straight.

"We're feeling pretty good," Bundy said. "We look across and don't see the Salt Lake Bees, so we feel we can play with anyone in this league right now."

The 51s are 9-2 against teams other than the league-leading Bees (17-1).

John Lindsey drove in Las Vegas' first two runs with an single in the first inning and a double in the third.

"I'm just thankful I'm getting my hits," said Lindsey, hitting .362. "I wouldn't mind getting some up in the air, but in the end it will even itself out."

Terry Tiffee went 1-for-4 with an RBI double and continues to lead the Pacific Coast League with a .493 average.

Jason Repko ripped a long solo homer to left field, igniting the 51s' three-run seventh and Luis Maza was 2-for-4 to extend his hitting streak to nine games. He is hitting .354.

"He gives us stability in the two-hole when he plays," Bundy said of Maza.

Las Vegas nearly turned its first triple play ever at home in the sixth. Kevin Melillo popped up a bunt and 51s catcher Danny Ardoin let it drop before starting a 2-5-6 double play. Melillo beat shortstop Rex Rundgren's relay to first by a step.