51s showing signs of life in June

It took nearly three months, but the 51s finally appear to be headed in the right direction.

Las Vegas is 13-9 in June, having won three in a row and seven of its last nine.

"We're starting to pitch better, and we're fielding better," manager Dan Rohn said Wednesday before Marc Rzepczynski pitched 7 2/3 strong innings in an 8-0 win over Sacramento at Cashman Field. "We started slowly and dug ourselves a real hole. But it's been a good month. I'm really encouraged with what I'm seeing."

The 51s, who trail Pacific South Division-leading Fresno by 11 games, are last in the Pacific Coast League with an ERA of 6.01. Las Vegas' starters have an astronomic ERA of 7.39, offsetting the 51s' .295 batting average and league-leading 83 home runs.

"This is probably as good a hitting team as I've had," said Rohn, a nine-year PCL veteran manager. "You can hit all you want, but if you don't pitch well and catch it when the opportunities are there, you're not going to win."

Rzepczynski's performance helped lower the team ERA. He allowed just three hits, struck out nine and at one point retired 15 in a row.

Third baseman Edwin Encarnacion started for Las Vegas (34-40) on Wednesday after being demoted by the Toronto Blue Jays.

Encarnacion has struggled with his throws from third and had seven errors in 37 games with the Blue Jays. But his presence in the order will help protect Brett Wallace, Brian Dopirak and Brad Emaus and bolster an already potent Las Vegas lineup.

"I can't control how long I'm going to be here," said Encarnacion, who was batting .298 with Toronto and went 1-for-4 in his 51s debut. "But if I hit and field like I can, I don't think I'll be here long."

Rohn hopes to add pitching help in the next few weeks as well. Kyle Drabek (7-7, 3.26 ERA) has been outstanding at Double-A New Hampshire and could bolster the 51s' staff if he's called up.

But there's no plan to rush Drabek's development, as he's still just a year removed from Tommy John surgery.

"If we get (Drabek), great," Rohn said. "But I'm focused on the guys we have here. We've been playing better, and we talked about having a strong second half, get over .500 and have some fun."

Contact reporter Steve Carp at scarp@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2913.