Vegas knots series with Fist

Las Vegas evened the series with the Iron Fist yesterday. Once again the Rats got up early after Jim Thome blasted a two-run homer in the 3rd. Thome extended the lead to 3-1 with a solo homer in the 5th. Vancouver tried to claw their way back, but every time they seemed to be getting closer, it was Thome time. The Rats put the game out of reach when Thome hit his third homer in the 7th, making the score 5-2. Vancouver would scrape out another run, but that was that. The Rats host the next game of the series Friday, when Ben Sheets and Josh Beckett square off.

Philadelphia hosts the Sugar Bears today, resuming their 1-1 series as Brandon Webb will take on Javier Vazquez. Webb has been roughed up by the Sugar Bears this year to the tune of a 4.82 ERA and 1.61 WHIP in 3 starts. It should be noted that his two rough starts were at the Cereal Bowl and his one start in Philly this year was a complete game shutout. Meanwhile, Vazquez has been solid against the Animals, going 2-0 with a 3.00 ERA and 0.933 WHIP in two starts - one at each of the stadiums.