Heavy hitter Ruiz lights 51s’ offense

It's not how you start, it's how you finish. 51s slugger Randy Ruiz is fond of that phrase, hoping it applies to Las Vegas' performance this season and his career.

The 51s sagged to 2-7 with a 9-4 loss to Colorado Springs on Saturday at Cashman Field. But Ruiz, 31, is confident they'll turn things around.

"We started slow but eventually we're going to pick it up and show Las Vegas we're winners," Ruiz said.

The same could be said of the career of the 6-foot-3-inch, 220-pound Ruiz, who bounced around the minor leagues for a decade before finally making his major league debut with the Minnesota Twins last season.

Ruiz, a first baseman/designated hitter, was promoted from Triple-A Rochester (N.Y.) on Aug. 1 and hit .274 (17-for-62) in 22 games for the Twins. He won his third minor league batting title last year, hitting .320 and being named International League Rookie of the Year at age 30.

"It was awesome. I was one of 750 guys in the world in the big leagues. Just to be one of those 750 is an honor," the soft-spoken, positive Ruiz said. "It's something I dreamed about all my life and it actually came true after 10 years of minor league baseball.

"Being persistent and sticking with it and not giving up, I enjoyed it more."

Ruiz, who led the Eastern League with a .349 average in 2005 and the Pioneer League at .381 in 2000, signed with the Toronto Blue Jays in December as a minor league free agent.

"I came here because I felt my opportunity to make the big leagues and help the team out was great," he said.

A career .302 hitter in the minors, Ruiz has already brought his expected offensive punch to the 51s. He is batting .353 (12-for-34) with a team-high four homers and 13 RBIs.

Ruiz, who was 0-for-4 Saturday, hit a solo home run Friday to ignite the 51s' decisive three-run rally in the sixth inning of their 3-2 victory over the Sky Sox (6-3).

"Randy can really swing the bat," 51s manager Mike Basso said. "He's working hard on his defense, he brings a veteran presence to the middle of our lineup and he's a threat.

"He uses the whole field as a hitter and he can't be pitched one way. We feel comfortable having a guy like that in the middle of the lineup."

Dick Scott, the Blue Jays' director of player development, said Ruiz needs to improve his defense.

"If he can handle first (base), make routine plays and pick a few baseballs in the dirt, and be athletic over there, he does have some value," he said. "But if it doesn't work out that way, it's going to be hard to play him over there. He's got to hit a ton if he doesn't."

Ruiz, who said he's made strides on his defense, hopes to continue his hot start.

"I've just got to go out and have fun and do my job," he said. "I'm doing a great job now, but it's not how you start, it's how you finish. Hopefully I can stay consistent and help this team win more games."

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