Houlton, relievers stellar in pitching 51s to 4-1 victory

D.J. Houlton allowed one hit over five innings as the 51s finished with a two-hitter Saturday in a 4-1 Pacific Coast League victory over the Portland Beavers in Portland, Ore.

Ken Huckaby singled in two runs to highlight a three-run third as Las Vegas (20-21) won for the third time in the four-game series, which concludes today.

Houlton, who surrendered five runs in five innings in his previous start against New Orleans, teamed with relievers Matt Riley and Yhency Brazoban on the two-hitter.

The only hit off Houlton was Brett Dowdy's first-inning single. Houlton (5-2) walked four and struck out five.

Portland's other hit was Pete Laforest's solo home run in the ninth off Brazoban.

Las Vegas scored its first run in the first inning on Mitch Jones' RBI double.

The 51s made the score 4-0 in the third on a run-scoring ground-out and Huckaby's two-run single.

Starter Ryan Ketchner (0-4) was charged with the loss for Portland (18-23), which is on a season-worst four-game losing streak.