Kade Morris turned in another strong outing Friday night, but the Las Vegas Aviators could not generate enough offense in a 3-1 loss to the Omaha Storm Chasers at Werner Park.
The defeat dropped Las Vegas to 38-27 and evened the six-game series at two games apiece. Omaha improved to 30-36.
Morris settles in after early damage
Morris allowed three runs on seven hits across 7.0 innings while striking out four and walking one. The right-hander generated 11 ground-ball outs and kept the Storm Chasers off the scoreboard after the third inning.
Omaha struck first in the second when Abraham Toro launched a two-run homer to right field. John Rave added a solo shot an inning later to push the lead to 3-0.
After the home runs, Morris settled in and retired 13 of the final 15 batters he faced. He completed seven innings for the fourth time this season and gave the Aviators every chance to climb back into the game.
Opportunities slip away
Las Vegas cut the deficit to 3-1 in the fourth inning when a throwing error by catcher Luke Maile allowed Darell Hernaiz to score from third.
The Aviators appeared poised for a bigger inning after loading the bases with one out. However, Brett Harris struck out and Brian Serven followed with a strikeout to end the threat.
That missed opportunity proved costly as Omaha’s bullpen shut down the Las Vegas offense the rest of the way.
The Aviators finished with six hits and went 1-for-5 with runners in scoring position. Hernaiz, Cade Marlowe, Joey Meneses, Harris, Drew Swift and Joshua Kuroda-Grauer each recorded a hit. Meneses delivered the club’s lone hit with runners in scoring position during the fourth inning.
Omaha bullpen closes it out
After opener Mitch Spence and reliever Dan Altavilla combined for two scoreless innings, Omaha received 2.2 innings from Bailey Falter before turning the game over to Génesis Cabrera and Helcris Olivárez.
The trio combined to allow three hits over the final seven innings. Olivárez worked the final 2.1 scoreless innings to earn his first save of the season.
Las Vegas mounted one final threat in the ninth when Harris singled and Serven walked with two outs. Pinch-hitter Bryan Lavastida, however, struck out swinging to end the game.
Division race remains tight
Despite the loss, the Aviators remain firmly in the Pacific Coast League West race. Las Vegas is 6-4 over its last 10 games and sits one game behind first-place Sacramento, which has dropped two straight after holding a larger division lead earlier in the week.
Up next
The series continues Saturday at Werner Park. Las Vegas has not announced a probable starter, while Omaha is expected to send right-hander Noah Williams (0-0, 7.40 ERA) to the mound. First pitch is scheduled for 4:05 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.
