The Aviators started fast but could not keep pace Tuesday night, surrendering 10 unanswered runs in a 15-7 loss to the St. Paul Saints at Las Vegas Ballpark on Cinco de Mayo.
Las Vegas jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first on Cade Marlowe’s RBI triple and Joey Meneses’ sacrifice fly. After falling behind 5-2, the Aviators answered again in the fifth, stringing together three straight two-out RBI singles from Meneses, Michael Stefanic and Chad Wallach to take a 6-5 lead.
It did not last.
Sabato spoils the party
Aaron Sabato turned the game with a historic power display. The Saints first baseman homered three times and drove in seven runs, finishing 4 for 5 with 14 total bases.
His second homer of the night tied the game at 6-6 in the sixth. Moments later, a two-run double from Ryan Kreidler and an RBI single by Gabriel Gonzalez pushed St. Paul ahead 9-6.
Sabato struck again in the seventh with a two-run blast, extending the lead to 11-6 and shifting full momentum to the visitors.
Sixth inning avalanche
Nick Hernandez was charged with the loss after allowing three runs in relief. Yunior Tur followed and yielded three more as St. Paul seized control.
The Saints added four runs in the eighth on three home runs, including back-to-back-to-back shots from Kaelen Culpepper, Gabriel Gonzalez and Alex Jackson. By the time the inning ended, St. Paul had scored 10 unanswered runs.
Four of the five Aviators pitchers used allowed runs.
Offense not enough
Las Vegas finished with 11 hits. Meneses had two hits and two RBI, while Marlowe tripled and scored. Wallach added two hits and an RBI, and Stefanic drove in a run.
The Aviators went 5 for 14 with runners in scoring position but left eight on base.
Las Vegas fell to 18-14 but remains in first place in the PCL West.
Up next
The series continues Wednesday night at Las Vegas Ballpark. Right-hander Zhuang (0-1, 9.39 ERA) is scheduled to start for the Aviators against a Saints starter to be announced.
First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. PT.
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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.
