Tucson’s six-run sixth dooms 51s

Jason Smith homered and added one of Tucson's two two-run doubles in the sixth inning Wednesday night to lead the Sidewinders to a 7-5 victory over the 51s in a Pacific Coast League game in Tucson, Ariz.

Las Vegas (38-48) brought a 5-1 lead into the bottom of the sixth, when the Sidewinders (44-41) scored six runs. Chris Carter walked with the bases loaded, Jamie D'Antona had an RBI single, and Smith and Rich Thompson each had two-run doubles.

Andy LaRoche started the scoring for the 51s with a leadoff home run in the second inning, his fifth of the season. Smith answered with his third homer of the year in the second.

The 51s went up 4-1 in the third on John Lindsey's two-run double and Marshall McDougall's sacrifice fly. McDougall added an RBI double in the fifth.

LaRoche finished 3-for-4 for Las Vegas, which held a 12-9 edge in hits.

Evan MacLane (5-6) was the winning pitcher, giving up five runs on 10 hits and four walks in six innings. Harold Eckert (0-2) took the loss in relief, permitting four runs on three hits and two walks.

Las Vegas starter Dwayne Pollock lasted five-plus innings and gave up three runs.

The teams play again at 7 p.m. today in Tucson.