The Las Vegas Aviators got exactly what they hoped for from Aaron Civale and a little more from Joey Meneses on Wednesday night.
Civale, making a rehabilitation start with Las Vegas, retired the first 13 batters he faced and did not allow a hit across 4.1 scoreless innings as the Aviators defeated the Omaha Storm Chasers 5-2 at Werner Park.
The victory improved Las Vegas to 38-26 and moved the club back within one game of first-place Sacramento in the Pacific Coast League West after the River Cats were defeated Wednesday night.
Civale dominates in rehab outing
Civale looked every bit like a major league starter during his first appearance with the Aviators during his rehabilitation assignment.
The veteran right-hander retired the first 13 batters he faced before issuing a two-out walk in the fifth inning. He finished with seven strikeouts while throwing 56 pitches, 38 for strikes.
Omaha did not record a hit against Civale, and Wander Suero entered to retire Drew Waters and preserve the shutout. Suero earned the win to improve to 2-1.
Las Vegas pitchers combined to strike out 13 batters and limited Omaha to four hits.
Meneses provides the knockout blow
The Aviators scratched across the game’s first run in the fourth inning when Meneses singled, advanced on Michael Stefanic’s double and scored on a wild pitch.
Chad Wallach added a two-out RBI single in the sixth to double the lead.
Then Meneses delivered the decisive swing.
After singles by Joshua Kuroda-Grauer and Darell Hernaiz in the seventh inning, Meneses launched a three-run homer to left field off Anthony Gose, stretching the advantage to 5-0. The blast was his ninth homer of the season and increased his RBI total to 62.
Meneses finished 2-for-4 with three RBIs, two runs scored and a walk.
Hernaiz shines in spot start
Darell Hernaiz made the most of his opportunity in the lineup.
The infielder collected three hits, including a double, and scored on Meneses’ seventh-inning homer. Kuroda-Grauer added two hits, while Stefanic doubled and reached base four times with a double and three walks.
Cade Marlowe endured a rare difficult night despite the victory, going hitless while striking out four times.
Bullpen closes it out
Luis Morales allowed Omaha’s only runs in the seventh inning on a sacrifice fly by Brett Squires and an RBI double from Luca Tresh.
The Storm Chasers later put two runners aboard in the eighth before Matt Krook struck out John Rave to end the threat.
Michael Kelly worked a scoreless ninth inning for his sixth save of the season, striking out two.
Standings watch
Las Vegas improved to 38-26 and remained one game behind Sacramento in the Pacific Coast League West. Both clubs are 7-3 over their last 10 games, while the Aviators have won nine of their last 11 contests.
Up next
The series continues Thursday night at Werner Park. Las Vegas has not announced a probable starter. Omaha is expected to start left-hander Falter (1-0, 2.70 ERA). First pitch is scheduled for 6:05 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.
