Bullpen comes through for 51s

The last person Las Vegas wanted to see at the plate with two outs in the ninth inning Sunday was Juan Ciriaco.

The Fresno Grizzlies shortstop had torched 51s pitching during the teams’ four-game series, collecting 11 hits, including three home runs, in his first 13 at bats.

And he came up with the potential tying and go-ahead runs on base after already hitting a home run, a triple and a single Sunday.

No problem. Ryan Reid blew a 3-2 pitch past Ciriaco for the final out to preserve the 51s’ 5-4 win over Fresno at Cashman Field.

“Our bullpen was huge today,” 51s manager Wally Backman said. “This was a much-needed win. I don’t know how many hits (Ciriaco) has had, but I guarantee he’s the player of the week.”

Las Vegas (36-27) had won only three of its previous 17 games, including a 1-10 mark at home. Opponents had scored at least five runs in 14 of those 17 games.

But Logan Verrett gave the 51s five solid innings to start, and Miguel Socolovich worked out of nasty jams in the sixth and seventh innings before Zack Thornton and Reid finished it off.

Verrett allowed three runs on eight hits in five innings but left with Las Vegas leading 4-3 and runners at first and second with no outs in the sixth.

Soclovich got two strikeouts and a popout to end that threat. He worked around a leadoff double in the seventh, stranding a runner at third with one out.

“I’ve brought Socolovich in so many times in situations, and he just gets himself out of them,” Backman said.

Against Socolovich, Thornton and Reid, Fresno (33-31) was 1-for-12 with runners in scoring position.

“We’ve had five guys in our bullpen for way too long,” Backman said. “Those three have pitched well for us, but it’s tough when you have to use them all in one game.

“We’re playing with a roster of 21 guys because of injuries and call-ups, and it’s hard. We have lost so many guys. When you send players to the big leagues, and you don’t get anybody back, it’s tough. We’ve sent 11 guys to the big leagues that were on our roster to start.”

Cory Vaughn was 3-for-4 with a first-inning two-run home run for the 51s, who didn’t hold the lead in any of the first three games of the series. Vaughn was just 1-for-10 since being called up to the team.

Las Vegas opens a four-game series at Colorado Springs tonight.

“This will get our spirits up a little bit,” Backman said. “We’ve played pretty well on the road, so hopefully it carries over.”

Contact reporter Bartt Davis at bdavis@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-5230.