Speed helps 51s run winning streak to six
Second in the Pacific Coast League with 24 stolen bases, the 51s have plenty of speed this season.
Speed helped Las Vegas extend its season-high winning streak to six games Tuesday in a 6-5 comeback victory over the Albuquerque Isotopes at Cashman Field.
Wilfredo Tovar hit a walk-off two-run double to left field with two outs in the ninth inning for the 51s (12-8), who went 2-for-16 with runners in scoring position.
Kyle Johnson, who drew a two-out walk, scored the winning run from first base when Isotopes left fielder Kyle Parker tried to make a diving catch of Tovar’s blooper and let the ball get by him.
“With him running on the pitch, that was big,” 51s manager Wally Backman said. “We have some team speed, and we’re going to use it. That’s how we won. With anyone else running, the game’s tied.”
Johnny Monell, who launched a leadoff double off the left-field wall, scored the tying run ahead of Johnson, who entered as a pinch runner in the eighth.
“My biggest thing is just getting on base and trying to use my speed. That’s my game,” Johnson said. “Once I got on base, I was just trying to score on whatever was hit, so as soon as that ball left the bat, I knew I was probably going from first to third. When he laid out, I just kept going.”
One of 16 players on the 51s’ roster who saw action at Double-A Binghamton last season, Johnson said it has taken awhile to adjust to life in the PCL.
“Guys are just getting more comfortable,” he said. “Earlier in the year, people were trying to figure out what their roles were. A lot of guys are new to Triple A and are just kind of finding their way. Guys are just coming into their own and playing like they can.”
Backman said he’s been impressed by Tovar — a 23-year-old shortstop from Venezuela — since managing him in 2010 at Single-A Brooklyn.
“Toves is a really good player. I respect him a lot,” Backman said. “Defensively, there’s nobody better, and I think he hits enough to play in the big leagues.”
Las Vegas loaded the bases with no outs in the eighth and the top of its order coming up but didn’t score. Dilson Herrera fouled out to the catcher, Darrell Ceciliani grounded into a force at home and Alex Castellanos flied to right.
“That’s supposed to be a big inning,” Backman said. “Dilson and Darrell, they’re young guys, and they got a little overanxious at the plate. They didn’t get it done right there, but they fought back. They didn’t want to lose.”
Herrera, the New York Mets’ No. 4 prospect, was 2-for-5 to lift his average to .375, fourth in the PCL. The 21-year-old has at least two hits in 12 of his past 14 games.
With Las Vegas trailing 4-1 in the fifth, Castellanos crushed a two-run shot for his team-leading seventh home run. He’s homered in two straight games and four of seven, is batting .362 and leads the PCL in slugging percentage (.831).
“I don’t expect Alex is going to be here for a whole lot longer swinging the bat the way he is,” Backman said.
51s starter Tyler Pill gave up homers on two consecutive pitches in the second to Angelys Nina and Tim Smalling as Albuquerque (9-11) went ahead 4-0.
Travis Taijeron had three hits for Las Vegas, and Tovar, Ceciliani, Monell and Brooks Conrad added two hits apiece.
On Thursday, the 51s will host Reno in the opener of a four-game series on the first “Dollar Beer Night” of the season.
■ NOTE — Las Vegas right-handed pitcher Rafael Montero was recalled by the Mets to make a spot start Tuesday and got a no decision in a 4-3 loss to the Miami Marlins. He allowed three runs, all earned, on five hits and one walk with six strikeouts in 5 2/3 innings.
Contact reporter Todd Dewey at tdewey@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0354. Follow him on Twitter: @tdewey33.
