Las Vegas best in matchup of top-scoring PCL teams

With the top two scoring teams in the Pacific Coast League squaring off, plenty of action was expected during and after Friday's holiday showdown.

Las Vegas provided most of the in-game excitement with a 10-6 victory against Colorado Springs. The sellout crowd of 8,424 stuck around for post-game pyrotechnics. Fireworks are scheduled following tonight's rematch as well.

Las Vegas, which leads the PCL in runs, hits and average - the Sky Sox are second, fourth and fifth, respectively - got at least three hits from four different players.

Angel Chavez had four hits while Terry Tiffee, Kevin Howard and A.J. Ellis had three each.

Tiffee wields the league's hottest bat (.387) and was named to the Triple-A All-Star Game July 16 in Louisville.

"So far this is the best year I've ever had," said Tiffee.

Tiffee, 29, spent parts of three seasons with the Minnesota Twins (91 games) and hit .226.

From North Little Rock, Arkansas, he played two years at Pratt (Kan.) Junior College and signed with LSU, but turned pro instead.

Remarkably consistent, Tiffee has five hitting streaks this season of at least six games, with a high of 18 straight.

"I've got some motivation from last year," said Tiffee, who hit .272 at Triple-A Norfolk in 2007. "It was a tough mental year in a tough park."

He said the 51s have struggled lately offensively.

"I think the Vegas heat wears us down," he said.

It was 88 degrees at game time Friday but he said that was "real comfortable and felt good."

Chris Frey had three hits and three RBIs for the Sky Sox, who are 7-2 in their most recent home games.

The Sky Sox were without Joe Koshansky, who was promoted by the Colorado Rockies on Friday when 34-year-old first baseman Todd Helton went on the 15-day disabled list with a strained lower back. The move is retroactive to Thursday.

Koshansky was named as starting first baseman for the PCL in the Triple-A All-Star game but will not participate.