The Aviators extended their winning streak to four games Tuesday night, edging the Tacoma Rainiers 2-1 at Cheney Stadium to open a six-game road set. Las Vegas improved to 15-11 on the season and continues to build momentum away from home.
Joey Meneses delivered the decisive swing, while the bullpen turned in 4.2 scoreless and hitless innings to slam the door late and have not allowed a run in nine straight innings over the last three games.
Meneses delivers the difference
Tacoma struck first in the third inning on a sacrifice fly from Brennen Davis. However, the Aviators stayed patient against Rainiers starter Randy Dobnak and finally broke through in the sixth.
Henry Bolte and Tommy White opened the inning with singles, setting the table. Cade Marlowe laid down a sacrifice bunt to move both runners into scoring position. Then Meneses lined a sharp single to left field, scoring Bolte and White to give Las Vegas a 2-1 lead.
Meneses finished 1 for 3 with two RBI and a walk. Michael Stefanic added three hits, while Bolte and Drew Swift each collected two as the Aviators totaled 10 hits.
Morris steadies, bullpen dominates
Right-hander Kade Morris battled through 5.1 innings, allowing one run on six hits. Although he walked six, he limited damage and kept the game within reach. Morris earned the win and improved to 2-1 on the season.
Once Morris exited in the sixth, the bullpen took complete control.
Michael Kelly entered with two runners on and escaped the inning without damage. Wander Suero followed with a clean eighth. Finally, Nick Anderson closed the ninth with a strikeout to secure his second save.
In total, the Las Vegas bullpen threw 4.2 innings without allowing a hit.
Defense seals it
The Aviators also flashed leather when it mattered most. In the fourth inning, Joey Meneses started a crucial double play that cut down a runner at the plate and erased a scoring threat.
Later, Stefanic and Drew Swift turned key groundouts up the middle to protect the one-run lead.
Las Vegas held Tacoma to 0 for 7 with runners in scoring position and stranded 11 Rainiers on base.
Up next
The Aviators continue the six-game series against Tacoma on Wednesday night at Cheney Stadium.
Four straight wins. A bullpen that looks untouchable. And a veteran bat delivering in the biggest moment. This is what momentum looks like.
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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.
