Below, Herrera spark 51s to rout of Dodgers

Monday, same deal.

The second baseman hit a home run on the first pitch of the game, giving the 51s an immediate lead — one that they would hold for the rest of the game in their 12-4 victory over Oklahoma City at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark.

It’s the third time since last Wednesday that Herrera has given the team a lead in its first at-bat.

“Herrera led us off with a home run to put us in the lead right out of the shoot at the start of the game,” manager Wally Backman said. “After that, Below pitched like I (saw) him pitch last year quite a few times.”

Below finished the season with a 2.19 ERA last year and had two consecutive starts in which he threw complete games requiring fewer than than 100 pitches.

Monday, Below threw seven innings, matching a season-high, and gave up just three hits while not allowing a run.

“He’s not afraid of contact. He throws a lot of strikes. He did a really nice job,” Backman said. “He’s a very consistent, solid starter that keeps us in the game all the time.”

While Below was doing that, he got plenty of run support, especially in the second inning when the 51s tacked on five more runs — two on a Marc Krauss home run, two on a T.J. Rivera double and one on a Travis Taijeron line drive single.

Taijeron led the 51s with four runs driven in while Rivera added three and both Johnny Monell and Krauss had two.

Every starter — including Below — had a hit in the game except for Roger Bernadina. Taijeron, Rivera and Ty Kelly each had three while Herrera and Brandon Nimmo had two.

The only runs Oklahoma City scored came in the ninth off of reliever Dario Alvarez who walked two and gave up four runs on three hits in just one inning of work.

But by that time, the final outcome wasn’t in doubt, thanks to Below’s strong outing.

“He was dominant. He was in total control of the game for the seven innings he pitched,” Backman said.

Roster moves

Las Vegas activated Jeff Glenn from the disabled list on Monday and he had his first at-bat of the year, flying out in the ninth.

The team had an extra roster spot open after pitcher Sean Gilmartin was called up by the Mets last week. They were originally planning using it to activate shortstop Gavin Cecchini from the disabled list over the weekend. However, Cecchini, who is dealing with a sore back, needs to complete two full days of full activities before rejoining the team, which he hasn’t done yet.

“Right now because it’s been so long that he’s been out — today was day 10 — that we’re putting him on a progression,” Backman said.

Backman said Cecchini stretched and played catch Monday. Since they play a day game Tuesday, Cecchini won’t have a chance to do full activities and will have to wait until the team gets to Colorado Springs.

“He will be activated hopefully sometime in Colorado Springs as long as there’s not a setback,” Backman said.

Meanwhile, infielder Matt Reynolds will join the Mets and the 51s should get a pitcher back — possibly Gilmartin, who has spent the season as a starter for Las Vegas.

Betsy Helfand can be reached at bhelfand@reviewjournal.com. Follow on Twitter: @BetsyHelfand