The Aviators answered early Oklahoma City home runs with steady pressure and timely swings Saturday night, pulling away for an 8-5 win at Las Vegas Ballpark.
Las Vegas improved to 6-2 by scoring in three straight innings in the middle of the game, then turning it over to a sharp bullpen to close it out.
Answering the early homers
Oklahoma City struck first in the second when Noah Miller launched a two-run homer to center. An inning later, James Tibbs III crushed a solo shot to right-center to extend the lead to 3-0.
Las Vegas responded in the fourth. Zack Gelof worked a leadoff walk and later scored on a fielder’s choice that also included a throwing error. With two outs and two in scoring position, Joey Meneses lined a two-run single to center to tie the game at 3-3.
Tibbs briefly put the Comets back in front with his second homer of the night in the fifth. However, the Aviators answered again in the bottom half. Cade Marlowe and Drew Swift drew walks, and with two outs Junior Perez delivered a two-run single to center to give Las Vegas a 5-4 lead.
Sixth-inning surge creates separation
Las Vegas created breathing room in the sixth. Michael Stefanic opened the inning with a solo homer to left, his first of the season. Later in the frame, Swift and Gelof singled before Colby Thomas ripped a two-run double to center, stretching the advantage to 8-4.
Oklahoma City got one back in the seventh on Tibbs’ third homer of the game, but that was as close as it would get.
Bullpen slams the door
Mason Barnett allowed four runs over four innings in his start. Brooks Kriske earned the win with two scoreless innings and five strikeouts, stabilizing the middle of the game.
Ben Bowden gave up Tibbs’ third homer but recorded the final two outs of the seventh. Tyler Ferguson worked a clean eighth, and Wander Suero closed the ninth for his first save of the season.
Gelof finished 3-for-4 with a walk and two runs scored. Perez drove in three runs, Thomas added two RBI, and Meneses collected two hits and two RBI as part of a 12-hit night for Las Vegas.
Up next
The Aviators close the series against Oklahoma City on Sunday at Las Vegas Ballpark. First pitch is set for 12:05 p.m. PT. Left-hander Gage Jump is scheduled to start for Las Vegas against Oklahoma City left-hander Logan Allen.
Related stories
Welcome to Dice City Sports — where we provide premium, exclusive, up-to-date news and analysis surrounding the Las Vegas sports scene. Follow along on social media, and check back for new articles daily!
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.
