The Las Vegas Aviators welcomed the Tacoma Rainiers to the Las Vegas Ballpark on Thursday, August 14. The Aviators had a huge comeback in the eighth inning to win the game 7-6.
The teams came into the game tied 1-1 in the week’s series and tied with an overall standing of 66-50. The Aviators previously won the away series against the Rainiers in June, 4-3. With Thursday’s victory, the Aviators lead the series 2-1 and are 67-50 overall.
Kade Morris started on the mound for Las Vegas. He threw three groundouts for a quick first inning. The Aviators popped off with a solo home run by Zack Gelof, putting the team ahead 1-0. Jhonathan Díaz was the starting pitcher for the Rainiers. Alejo Lopez singled, and Drew Swift reached on an error by the shortstop in the second inning.
With two runners on base and no outs, the Aviators were able to get an out on a sacrifice bunt and groundout. Leo Rivas hit an RBI single to put the Rainiers on the board, 2-1. Cade Marlowe brought Rivas home with his line drive to right field. Morris finished the inning with a strikeout. Tacoma found a 3-3-1 lead. Las Vegas struggled at the plate in the bottom of the third with three straight strikeouts.
Ben Williamson hit a solo homer to center field for the Rainiers in the top of the fourth. Smart base running was the highlight of the Aviators’ offense. Gelof walked, stole second base and made it to third after the catcher made a throwing error. Tacoma held a 4-1 lead going into the fifth inning.
Morris was struggling with the pitch clock, and it ended up costing him two balls, resulting in a walk. With two runners on, Marlowe hit another RBI single. The Rainiers secured a 5-1 lead. The Aviators were able to end the inning right after with a double play. Second baseman Gelof caught a line drive and threw the runner out at first.
David Leal replaced Morris on the mound for Las Vegas. Morris ended his five-inning stint, throwing 77 pitches, striking out four, walking one, allowing seven hits and five runs. Tacoma had no problem with the pitching change. Williamson hit his second solo homer to start the sixth inning. Gelof had his second hit of the game, but the Rainiers remained in the lead, 6-1.
Jake Walkinshaw pitched for the Aviators in the seventh inning, serving up an easy two groundouts and a strikeout. Domingo Gonzalez replaced Díaz on the mound. Díaz pitched six innings, struck out seven, walked two, allowed three hits and one run. Lopez led off the Aviators with a solo homer. Junior Perez and Swift followed with a single apiece. Las Vegas put another run on the board after Euribiel Angeles‘ forecourt scored Perez. With two outs, the Rainiers brought Austin Kitchen to the mound. Nick Martini hit a flyout. The Aviators made it a 6-3 game going into the eighth inning.
Jack Cushing took the mound for Las Vegas. He struck out two and caused a groundout. The Rainiers put Troy Taylor on the mound. Cooper Bowman singled, Gelof walked and Henry Bolte hit an RBI single. With two runners on base, Perez homered to center field. The Aviators took a 7-6 lead. Hagen Danner replaced Taylor on the mound to finish the inning. Pitcher Anthony Maldonado earned the save after striking out one and causing a flyout and pop out.
Cushing earned the win on the mound for the Aviators, and Taylor took the loss for the Rainiers. Las Vegas had 10 hits and Tacoma had nine.
