With five lefties in rotation, 51s view game at odd angle

Spend 40 years in professional baseball and you'll see everything sooner or later.

But until now, 51s pitching coach Dave LaRoche has never encountered a starting rotation comprised entirely of left-handers.

For two weeks, Las Vegas' rotation has featured five lefties -- David Purcey, Brett Cecil, Fabio Castro, Brian Burres and Brad Mills -- and they're scheduled to make every 51s start through at least June 7.

"I'm very disappointed, though, because with five left-handed starters we should win every game," LaRoche said with a grin. "With the quality of pitchers we have, these guys are capable. They're going through a little tough time, but they can get on a roll."

Since right-hander Dirk Hayhurst started May 14, Las Vegas has gone 6-6, including Wednesday's 3-1 win over New Orleans in which Burres held the Zephyrs to one run on four hits in seven innings, with nine strikeouts and four walks.

Las Vegas manager Mike Basso said it's important to "try to get good left-handed pitching anytime you can."

"You don't see many good left-handers, but we're blessed with quite a few," he said. "I think this game's made for left-handed pitching, being able to hold the running game and make a good move to first.

"If these guys can get to the big leagues ... and neutralize left-handed hitters, it bodes well for our organization."

Besides Mills, the other Las Vegas lefties have pitched in the majors, with Cecil making his debut with the Toronto Blue Jays this season.

As for the stereotype that lefties are a little different, LaRoche -- who was called "goofy, flaky (and) crazy" during his 14-year career in the majors -- said it's not true.

"We're all ahead of our time," he said. "They always say there are two kinds of people in baseball: left-handers and those who wish they were left-handers."

Mills, whom LaRoche called the "straitest-laced one" in the rotation, disputes the notion that southpaws are strange.

"I've heard lefties are different, but none of the guys in our rotation are off the wall, weird or anything," he said. "Hayhurst is probably the weirdest one on the team."

Apprised of Mills' comments, Hayhurst, the resident free spirit on the squad, wholeheartedly agreed.

Burres, whom LaRoche said is "probably the goofiest guy, but in a fun way," was loose in the clubhouse before Wednesday's game and gladly discussed the advantages of being left-handed.

"Most lefties are more artistic and better looking," Burres said with a laugh.

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