Nieuwenhuis fuels power surge in 51s’ 12-2 win at Tacoma
Kirk Nieuwenhuis hit a three-run homer and totaled four RBIs, and Brandon Allen and Alex Castellanos each hit a two-run homer to help the 51s rout the Tacoma Rainiers 12-2 in a Pacific Coast League game Thursday in Tacoma, Wash.
Nieuwenhuis and Allen each went deep in Las Vegas’ five-run first inning off Jordan Pries (3-2), and Castellanos hit his 13th home run of the season in the third to back a strong start by Darin Gorski (6-6).
Gorski held the Rainiers (40-41) to two runs on seven hits and one walk and struck out three in seven innings. His lone major difficulty came in the sixth inning, when he gave up a walk and three hits, including a two-run double by Patrick Kivlehan.
Castellanos finished 3-for-4 with a double and a stolen base, and he scored three runs. Nieuwenhuis and Allen each had two hits and scored twice.
Wilfredo Tovar went 2-for-5 with an RBI single, and Dan Rohlfing hit a two-run double in the ninth for the 51s (46-35), who had a 13-8 edge in hits.
Stefen Romero and Jesus Montero each had a double and a single for Tacoma.
Jenrry Mejia, the New York Mets’ closer last season who is serving a suspension for performance-enhancing drugs, pitched a perfect ninth with one strikeout for Las Vegas.
In two one-inning appearances with the 51s this week, Mejia has given up one hit and struck out three. The Mets can activate the right-hander Tuesday.