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Though he is brand-new to the Tucson Sidewinders, reliever A.J. Shappi knows plenty about cavernous Tucson Electric Park, where pitchers sometimes receive unpleasant welcomes.

"I've heard the horror stories," said Shappi before Tucson's 4-1 victory over Las Vegas on Thursday. The right-handed reliever arrived in Tucson in the afternoon after a promotion from Double-A Mobile.

Shappi dominated the lower level, producing a 1.53 ERA, but will be pitching for the first time in Triple-A. He replaced reliever Chris Kinsey, who headed to Double-A, on the roster.

"He's earned a right to get here, and I'm happy for him," Tucson manager Bill Plummer said. "He's battled his way through the system."

During his five professional seasons in the Diamondbacks organization, Shappi has converted from a starting pitcher to a reliever after struggling.

He found his niche in the pen. He posted a 5.57 ERA in 2006 between Single-A and Double-A in his final season as a starter before producing a 3.66 ERA last season.

"I was throwing the ball over the plate too much, and they decided there was a change that needed to be made, and I'm glad it was to the pen and not out of the organization," he said. "It's allowed me to expand my career."

Shappi can consistently throw his slider for strikes and, like the other Tucson relievers, is expected to throw two innings each outing, pitching coach Mike Parrott said.

As for advice he gives pitchers new to the Pacific Coast League and TEP, Parrott reminds them to work ahead in counts and not be afraid to challenge hitters.

"It's a big jump," Parrott said. "You go from the Southern League in Mobile, which is a good place to pitch, to coming to the PCL, which has always been a hitters league. It can humble a lot of pitchers."

Tucson left-hander Evan MacLane watched his team lose 23-2 to Las Vegas on Tuesday but did not get too wrapped up in the results.

He fared much better against the 51s on Thursday — allowing a run and four hits, striking out three and walking one in seven innings.

"You can't really look too much" into one game," said MacLane (2-4). "You have to be confident in what you do and know you can get those guys out."

MacLane said he has focused on more deception in his delivery and said his change-up was his most effective pitch.

"The biggest thing is he hasn't made any mistakes over the plate," Plummer said. "He has better command of his curveball and his change-up."

● Leo Rosales threw two scoreless innings to earn his sixth save.

● Jamie D'Antona went 2 for 4 with a double and two two-out RBIs, raising his average to .407.

● Plummer walked his 6-month-old English bulldog, Jack, in and out of his office before the game.

Plummer explained he was dog-sitting while his wife is house-shopping in California.