Four runs over the final two innings lifted Las Vegas to a walk-off 4-2 win over Oklahoma City on Thursday night at Las Vegas Ballpark.
With the victory, the Aviators improved to 5-1. They rallied late for the second straight game. This time, Joey Meneses delivered the final blow with a two-run homer in the ninth.
Comets strike first
Oklahoma City grabbed the early momentum in the third. First, Ryan Ward launched a solo homer to left with two outs. Then James Tibbs III followed with a shot to center to make it 2-0.
However, that was all the offense the Comets would manage.
After the back-to-back homers, Kade Morris settled in. He worked 5.1 innings and allowed two runs on five hits while striking out five. Meanwhile, Yunior Tur added 1.2 scoreless innings out of the bullpen. Nick Anderson followed with two clean frames and earned the win.
Late rally swings it
Las Vegas finally broke through in the eighth.
First, Joey Meneses singled. Michael Stefanic followed with another base hit. Then Drew Swift worked a walk to load the bases. Although Zack Gelof struck out, Colby Thomas came through with two outs. He lined a single to right, scoring Meneses and Stefanic to tie the game at 2-2.
The Aviators left the bases loaded. Still, the momentum had shifted.
Walk-off fireworks
In the ninth, Junior Perez drew a leadoff walk. Moments later, Meneses drove a 1-1 pitch to right-center. The ball cleared the fence for a two-run walk-off homer, his first of the season. As a result, the crowd of 7,512 went home happy.
Numbers that mattered
Meneses went 3-for-4 with a homer and two RBI. Meanwhile, Thomas finished 2-for-4 with two RBI, both coming with two outs in the eighth.
Swift reached base three times with a hit and two walks. Stefanic also added a hit and scored in the tying rally.
On the mound, Morris allowed two runs over 5.1 innings. Tur and Anderson then combined for 3.2 scoreless innings to close it out.
Up next
The Aviators continue the series against Oklahoma City on Friday at 7:05 p.m. PDT at Las Vegas Ballpark.
Promotion: L.V. Aces (WNBA) Baseball Jersey Night. The first 2,000 fans will receive a specialty jersey.
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Dice City Sports editor Mark Hebert covers the Vegas Golden Knights, Las Vegas Raiders, Athletics, and UNLV baseball and softball. He has 24 years of journalism experience, is also a senior reporter at Exhibit City News, and previously covered the Dallas Stars and Texas Rangers. Follow him on X or connect on LinkedIn.
