VIGILANTES ON DECK

Opponent--Bend (Ore.) Bandits

Site--Saddleback College

Time--7:05 p.m. tonight, Wednesday and Thursday

Radio--KKSM-AM 1320, 87.9 FM

Records--Bandits 10-18, Vigilantes 11-17.

Vigilante update--Manager Buck Rodgers, in Ohio since the death of his mother in an auto accident, was expected back tonight but, according to team officials, is now expected on the team’s next homestand. Outfielder Alan Burke continues to be a bright spot on offense; he ranks ninth in the league in average (.361) and fifth in RBIs (27). About the only thing that hasn’t deserted the team this season is the fans. The team is averaging 2,446 at home in announced attendance. But the question is: Will fans continue to come considering how poorly the team has played lately. The Vigilantes are coming off a 1-5 trip and are 6-15 since winning five of seven. The team is also in last place in the Southern Division, six games behind Sonoma County, and struggling just to score. The Vigilantes were shut out twice and have scored nine runs in the last six games.

Bandits update--Bend begins a 10-game trip with its first visit to Mission Viejo, and brings a couple of local products. Right-handed reliever John Lynn, who attended Brea Olinda High, is 1-0 with a 4.76 earned-run average in 17 appearances and outfielder Marty Neff, who attended Magnolia High and Rancho Santiago College, is batting .224 with three homers and 16 RBIs. Another area player, Kevin Schula of El Dorado High, was released Sunday. Right-hander Harold Boan III will make his Bandits debut tonight.