Hoffpauir Hits Cycle, Dopirak Nails a Walk-Off Grand Slam

The Las Vegas 51s had an outstanding day at the plate yesterday as they were able to hammer out 17 hits against Sacramento (OAK). Jarrett Hoffpauir and Brian Dopirak were definitely the stars of the show. Jarrett hit for the cycle, starting it off with a home run in the 1st – getting the hard part out of the way, a double in the 3rd, and then got his triple in the 4th inning. Not a bad start to the game! He finished it off with the easiest part, a single, and said that he feels so comfortable at the plate that he never thought about bunting himself on. Well, that bodes well for the Jays, because anyone who watched the game yesterday had to notice Aaron Hill wincing as he ran towards first and refusing to bend his knees to get that ground ball which allowed the first 2 runs to score against the Jays. If those are indications of his health status right now, the Jays may call on someone like Jarrett to fill a bench spot should Aaron return to the DL.

For the season, Jarrett is hitting .333/.382/.540, 5 doubles, 1 triple, 2 HRs, 5 walks and 1 SO – wait a minute, only 1 strike out in 63 ABs?

I’m fairly certain that this performance means that Jarrett deserves a chance to prove himself in MLB. What’s the worst that can happen? He does poorly and goes back to AAA? Well, sure, but the other side is a lot more interesting. If he does well, the Jays get another trade chip or he becomes a great bench player! Either way, you have to feel for John McDonald who has seen Mike McCoy steal a lot of his opportunities to play so far and now has to deal with Jarrett being so hot in AAA. Maybe he should have tried to sign on with another team instead of the Jays, but we sure enjoy his D and Jays fans all over love him for it.

Jarrett wasn’t the only hot hitter yesterday for the 51s. 36 year old Luis Figueroa (.278), playing 3rd base, went 4 for 5 including a triple, and both JP Arencibia (.277) and Brett Wallace (.292) had 2 hits including a double. But, the star of the game because he hammered a pinch-hit game-winning Grand Slam, a walk off no less, was Brian Dopirak.It must be tough to get such a massively important HR and not even make the headlines because one of y0ur team mates hit for the cycle! But, I’m sure that for both players getting the win was more important.

I would talk about the LV pitching, but it wasn’t pretty despite the win. Rey Gonzalez allowed 6 ER in 4.1 IP, Marty McLeary allowed 3 ER in 1 IP, and Jesse Carlson allowed 2 ER in 1.2 IP. David Purcey was the only highlight in relief, getting 2 shut out innings, with 2 hits, 2 walks, and 3 strike outs. David earned his first win of the season as a result.

Las Vegas is now 10 – 8 on the year, 1 game behind division leading Fresno (SF).