Ray pitches in for surging 51s

Forget about leading the Pacific Coast League in batting, as the 51s did the last two seasons. The way Las Vegas is pitching, it could lead the league in ERA this year.

Robert Ray allowed one run on five hits in six innings and three relievers held Fresno to one hit the rest of the way Monday night in the 51s' 7-1 victory over the Grizzlies in front of a crowd of 3,863 at Cashman Field.

After one turn through its starting rotation, Las Vegas, off to its best start in four years, is 4-1 with a 1.60 ERA.

"They've all got the rust off of them, so hopefully they can get even better," 51s manager Dan Rohn said.

Ray, a right-hander, was the fifth consecutive starter to throw at least five innings for Las Vegas. He threw 90 pitches, 48 for strikes, struck out four and walked five.

"We've got a lot of experience, a lot of good arms, and guys are throwing the ball really well right now," Ray said. "I'm happy with the results, but the five walks, that can't happen every night."

Zach Jackson allowed a hit and a walk in the seventh inning for the 51s, David Purcey issued a walk in an otherwise perfect eighth, and Steven Register hurled a perfect ninth. Starters have allowed five earned runs in 28 innings for Las Vegas, and relievers have allowed three in 17.

Jarrett Hoffpauir went 3-for-5 with a double and three RBIs for the 51s, who tied their season high for hits, with 13.

Chris Lubanski went 2-for-4 with a homer, a double and two RBIs, Brett Wallace hit his second homer of the season, and Jorge Padilla and Brian Dopirak added two hits apiece.

"It's early, but we're starting to feel a little more comfortable at the plate," Rohn said. "They're starting to really do a nice job with their confidence and pitch selection."

Las Vegas scored two runs in three of the first four innings to take a 6-0 lead over Fresno, Triple-A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants.

Hoffpauir, who played second base and batted second, singled and scored in the first when Dopirak drove a double over Grizzlies left fielder Fred Lewis' head.

Lubanski, a former first-round draft pick of the Kansas City Royals, followed with an RBI double to the gap in right-center to make it 2-0.

Wallace, a former first-round pick of the St. Louis Cardinals, ripped a solo shot over the right-field wall to make it 3-0 in the third, and Lubanski launched a homer to right-center later in the inning to make it 4-0.

"I'm feeling comfortable up there, and I'm seeing the ball well," Lubanski said. "We're on a bit of a roll here, and hopefully we can keep it up."

Hoffpauir added a two-run single in the fourth and an RBI double in the sixth.

Lewis (ribs), on a major league rehabilitation assignment, roped a run-scoring double to right field in the fifth inning to spoil the shutout.

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