The Aviators saved their loudest statement for last, erupting for six runs in the top of the ninth inning Saturday afternoon to break a tie and roll past Reno 11-5 at Greater Nevada Field. The outburst capped a back-and-forth game and pushed Las Vegas to 22-20 on the season.
After Reno tied the game at 5-5 on Jacob Amaya’s eighth-inning homer, Las Vegas responded immediately. Joshua Kuroda-Grauer worked a leadoff walk, and Tommy White followed by launching a two-run homer to right field to reclaim the lead. The rally only gained momentum from there.
Brett Harris doubled and Joey Meneses drew a walk before Bryan Lavastida lined an RBI single to left. Later in the inning, Colby Halter forced in a run with a bases-loaded walk, and Kuroda-Grauer ripped a two-run single to center to cap the six-run frame. What began as a tense tie quickly turned into a commanding six-run cushion.
Fast Start Sets the Tone
Las Vegas did not wait long to strike. Kuroda-Grauer opened the game with a double and later scored on a fielding error by right fielder Kristian Robinson. Meneses added an RBI single in the first inning, and he delivered a two-run double in the second to stretch the early lead to 4-0.
Meneses finished 3-for-4 with three RBIs, anchoring the middle of the lineup. However, Reno chipped away methodically, scoring in the second, third, and fourth innings to trim the deficit to 4-3. Even so, the Aviators leaned on their defense, turning three double plays to erase potential damage and preserve the slim edge.
Trading Blows Late
In the seventh inning, Harris provided breathing room when he crushed a solo homer to center field, his third of the season, extending the lead to 5-3. Reno answered again in the bottom half, capitalizing on a fielding error to pull within one run.
The momentum shifted further in the eighth when Amaya connected on a solo homer off Elvis Alvarado to tie the game at 5-5. Instead of folding, however, Las Vegas delivered its most decisive response of the afternoon.
White’s ninth-inning homer flipped the script, and the lineup continued to grind out disciplined at-bats. Kuroda-Grauer finished 2-for-5 with two RBIs and two runs scored, while White went 2-for-6 with a homer and two RBIs. Harris added two hits, including the pivotal seventh-inning blast, and the Aviators collected 13 hits overall while going 5-for-16 with runners in scoring position.
Bullpen Slams the Door
On the mound, Mason Barnett worked five innings and allowed three runs while navigating six walks. Brady Basso and Michael Kelly stabilized the middle innings, and although Alvarado surrendered the tying homer in the eighth, he ultimately earned the win to improve to 2-0.
Nick Anderson handled the ninth with authority, striking out two and sealing the comeback. After surrendering momentum late, the Aviators seized it back emphatically, turning a tense road game into a statement victory.
Up Next
The series continues Sunday at 4:05 p.m. PT at Greater Nevada Field. Right-hander Joey Estes (1-4, 5.54 ERA, 27 strikeouts) is scheduled to start for Las Vegas, while Reno counters with left-hander Yu-Min Lin (2-2, 4.66 ERA, 26 strikeouts).
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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.
