The Las Vegas Aviators nearly pulled off their biggest comeback of the season Tuesday night.
After falling behind 9-0 through four innings, Las Vegas battled back and brought the tying run to the plate in the ninth before dropping a 14-11 decision to the Round Rock Express at Las Vegas Ballpark.
The loss dropped the Aviators to 40-28. However, Las Vegas remained atop the Pacific Coast League West by a half-game after Sacramento’s scheduled game was postponed.
Round Rock lands the first punch
The Express wasted little time taking control.
Jarred Kelenic opened the game with a triple and scored on Diego Castillo’s RBI single. Blaine Crim and Gilberto Celestino added run-scoring hits before Cooper Johnson crushed a three-run homer to cap a six-run first inning.
Round Rock added another run in the third when Crim launched a solo homer. The Express pushed the lead to 9-0 in the fourth on RBI doubles from Castillo and Crim.
Jacob Lopez took the loss in his season debut. The left-hander allowed six runs on seven hits over two innings.
Meneses, Serven ignite the rally
The Aviators finally broke through in the fourth.
Cade Marlowe worked a two-out walk before Joey Meneses lined an RBI triple into center field. Brett Harris followed with an RBI single. Two batters later, Brian Serven launched a three-run homer to right-center to cut the deficit to 9-5.
Las Vegas kept the pressure on in the sixth. Meneses delivered an RBI single before Serven ripped a two-run double to center. Darell Hernaiz later drew a bases-loaded walk that trimmed the deficit to 11-9.
Meneses continued his outstanding season with three hits, two RBIs and two runs scored. The veteran first baseman raised his average to .337 and increased his league-leading RBI total to 67.
Serven powered the comeback effort. He finished 2-for-5 with a home run, a double and five RBIs. Harris added three hits, three runs scored and an RBI, while Jared Dickey collected two hits and drove in a run.
One last push falls short
Every time the Aviators gained momentum, Round Rock answered.
Kelenic’s two-run homer in the fifth stretched the lead back to 11-5 after Las Vegas had cut the margin to four. Later, the Aviators loaded the bases in the eighth but failed to score when Meneses flew out to end the threat.
The Express added three more runs in the ninth. Aaron Zavala opened the inning with a solo homer before Round Rock tacked on two additional runs to build a 14-9 lead.
Las Vegas refused to quit. Harris doubled to open the bottom of the ninth and scored on Dickey’s RBI double. Drew Swift followed with an RBI single to bring the tying run to the plate.
The rally ended there. Hernaiz grounded out to first base to seal the Express victory.
Round Rock finished with 17 hits, including four home runs. The Aviators totaled 13 hits and went 6-for-16 with runners in scoring position.
First place slips away
The loss dropped the Aviators to 40-28 and moved them into second place in the Pacific Coast League West standings. Sacramento improved to 40-27 and reclaimed sole possession of first place, leaving Las Vegas a half-game back entering Wednesday’s action.
The series continues Wednesday night at Las Vegas Ballpark. Round Rock is expected to start right-hander Chase Supak, who enters 3-3 with a 5.21 ERA. The Aviators have not announced a starter.
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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.
