Struggling 51s halt five-game losing streak

Saddled with the worst record in the Pacific Coast League and mired in a season-high five-game losing streak in which they were outscored 57-22, the 51s entered Sunday in dire need of a win.

Thanks in large part to a stellar start by right-hander Rey Gonzalez, who also had been struggling, Las Vegas got a much-needed 6-2 victory over the Omaha Royals in front of a "Little League Day" crowd of 7,463 at Cashman Field.

"We've been struggling here as of late, so it was just nice to get a decent pitching performance, the 'pen came in and did a job and we played a solid defensive game," 51s manager Dan Rohn said.

"Rey kept us in it and we had a chance to score some runs and play a decent ballgame."

Gonzalez, who had given up at least four earned runs in his past six starts -- including 10 in a disastrous May 6 outing -- held the Royals (17-18) to one run on three hits in six innings, with five walks and four strikeouts.

"I had some rough (starts), but I went back to what I was doing last year, establishing my fastball in and out, using my changeup more and mixing in the curveball," said Gonzalez (4-2), who compiled a 2.90 ERA at Double-A New Hampshire last season.

"I hit my spots with my fastball and that opened up my breaking stuff, and it worked."

Sean Henn allowed one run on two hits in two innings for the 51s (16-22), walking three and striking out one. Jeremy Accardo pitched a perfect ninth, with one strikeout.

First baseman Brett Wallace belted his PCL-leading 11th home run of the season in the fifth inning to give Las Vegas a 4-1 lead.

Wallace also singled in the first to extend his hitting streak to eight games and finished 2-for-4 to raise his average to .310.

"He's been swinging the bat well and he's making some great adjustments," Rohn said. "He hit a home run on a changeup today, which has been his nemesis so far. He's just got to learn how to see it and stay back."

Shortstop Luis Figueroa had two hits and two RBIs and third baseman Kyle Phillips went 2-for-3 with two doubles, an RBI and two runs for Las Vegas.

Second baseman Jarrett Hoffpauir, left fielder Chris Lubanski and right fielder Jorge Padilla added two hits apiece for the 51s.

"We just battled," Rohn said. "We got a total team effort out of everybody today and that's how you win ballgames."

Omaha took a 1-0 lead in the second on a homer by Royals center fielder Jai Miller, but Las Vegas took the lead for good with two in the bottom of the inning as Figueroa and Hoffpauir hit consecutive RBI singles.

n NOTE -- Omaha right fielder Jordan Parraz, a former Green Valley High School and College of Southern Nevada standout, went 0-for-1 with three walks.

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