The Aviators let a late lead slip Sunday afternoon. Then they took it right back.
After surrendering four runs in the top of the ninth, Las Vegas answered with two of its own in the bottom half, capped by Tommy White’s two-out RBI single to secure a 6-5 walk-off victory over Albuquerque at Las Vegas Ballpark.
The win lifts the Aviators to 26-23 and earns a 3-3 split in the six-game series. The Isotopes fall to 28-23.
Ninth-Inning Chaos
Las Vegas carried a 4-1 lead into the ninth before Albuquerque rallied against Wander Suero. Kyle McCann opened the inning with an RBI double, Jose Cordova followed with a run-scoring single and pinch-hitter Adael Amador added another RBI knock to tie the game.
After a sacrifice bunt and a sacrifice fly, the Isotopes took a 5-4 lead.
James Gonzalez entered with two runners aboard and escaped further damage, keeping the deficit at one. He earned the win after a scoreless top of the ninth.
Marlowe Sparks the Response
Down to their final three outs, the Aviators went back to work.
Brayan Buelvas led off the bottom of the ninth with a double. After a fielder’s choice and a strikeout, Joshua Kuroda-Grauer stole second to move into scoring position with two outs.
Cade Marlowe delivered, lining a game-tying single to right to score Kuroda-Grauer. After Joey Meneses was intentionally walked, White bounced a ground ball to third that plated Marlowe. A throwing error by third baseman Nic Kent allowed the winning run to score.
Marlowe Leads 14-Hit Attack
Marlowe finished 4-for-4 with a triple, double, two RBIs and three runs scored. He was a constant presence on the bases, also stealing his 12th bag of the season.
White collected two hits and drove in two runs, including the game-winner. Michael Stefanic added two hits and an RBI, while Meneses and Buelvas each contributed key late hits.
Las Vegas went 6-for-12 with runners in scoring position and totaled 14 hits.
Back-and-Forth Middle Frames
The Aviators opened the scoring in the third on Stefanic’s RBI single. Albuquerque tied it in the sixth before Marlowe tripled and scored on White’s RBI single to restore the lead.
Las Vegas extended its advantage in the seventh on Marlowe’s RBI double and Meneses’ run-scoring double, setting the stage for the dramatic finish.
Up Next
The Aviators have Monday off before opening a six-game road series Tuesday against the Tacoma Rainiers at Cheney Stadium.
First pitch is scheduled for 6:05 p.m. PT. Left-hander Gage Jump (0-2, 4.50 ERA) is expected to start for Las Vegas opposite right-hander Casey Lawrence (3-3, 4.02 ERA).
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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.
