Solid pitching effort wasted as 51s lose, 2-1
Las Vegas pitchers gave up only four hits, but a first-inning error and passed ball proved costly in a 2-1 loss Saturday night to the Rainiers in a Pacific Coast League game in Tacoma, Wash.
The Rainiers took a 1-0 lead in the first on Jerry Owens' single, Angel Sanchez's error, J.P. Arencibia's passed ball and a sacrifice fly.
After Brad Nelson smacked a home run in the second to put Tacoma up 2-0, the 51s answered with a run in the third when Aaron Mathews singled home Jason Lane.
The 51s mustered only three hits the rest of the way. Las Vegas did threaten to tie the game in the sixth.
Sanchez opened the inning with a walk, and Mathews followed with a single. Sanchez was thrown out at third when Howie Clark attempted to sacrifice.
Mathews then went to third on a wild pitch, but Randy Ruiz flew out to center and Travis Snider struck out to end the threat.
Scott Richmond (0-1) started for the 51s. He gave up both runs -- one earned -- on three hits in 5 1/3 innings. He struck out five.
Chris Seddon (6-5) got the victory, giving up the 51s' only run in five innings. Reno native Randall Messenger got his 20th save.
The four-game series resumes at 1:30 p.m. today.
