FIRST PLACE 51s BEGIN EIGHT-GAME TENNESSEE ROAD TRIP TONIGHT
The first place Las Vegas 51s professional baseball team, 11-2 over its last 13 games, will open an eight-game road trip tonight in Nashville, Tenn., against the Sounds, Triple-A affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers. Las Vegas will also begin a stretch tonight of 16 straight games against the American Conference (July 30 – August 15).
Las Vegas was 7-1 on the just completed eight-game homestand that included winning three-out-of-four games against division-rival the Sacramento River Cats. Las Vegas (60-48) now leads second place Tucson (58-52) by three games and the River Cats (57-53) by four games in the Pacific Southern Division.
The last time Las Vegas was in first place in late July was during the 2002 season, the last playoff appearance for the 51s. The 2002 team, under manager Brad Mills, compiled a franchise-best record of 85-59 (.590).
Las Vegas has 36 games remaining on the 2013 campaign (17-home; 19-road). The 51s, in their first season as the Triple-Affiliate of the New York Mets, have sent 13 players to the Major League club under Manager Wally Backman.
NEW YORK TO LAS VEGAS (EAST MEETS WEST): The Mets have promoted the following players from Triple-A Las Vegas in 2013: LHP Aaron Laffey, LHP Robert Carson, OF Juan Lagares, OF Andrew Brown, RHP Collin McHugh, SS Omar Quintanilla, RHP David Aardsma, LHP Josh Edgin, INF Josh Satin, RHP Carlos Torres, RHP Zack Wheeler, INF Zach Lutz, RHP Gonzalez Germen.
Following the series at Nashville, Las Vegas will continue the road swing at Memphis, Tenn., against the Redbirds, Triple-A affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals, from Saturday-Tuesday, August 3-6. The next scheduled off day for the PCL is Wednesday, August 7.
The 51s will return to Cashman Field to open an eight-game homestand on Thursday, August 8 against the Oklahoma City RedHawks, Triple-A affiliate of the Houston Astros.
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