The Las Vegas Aviators surrendered four runs without allowing a hit, then answered with seven unanswered runs to defeat the Round Rock Express 7-4 on Wednesday night at Las Vegas Ballpark.
The victory improved Las Vegas to 41-28. The Aviators remained a half-game behind Sacramento in the Pacific Coast League West after the River Cats also won Wednesday.
Four runs, no hits
The game took an unusual turn in the second inning when Aviators starter Braden Nett struggled despite not allowing a hit.
Nett walked six batters and threw a wild pitch while allowing four earned runs in one inning. Round Rock sent nine batters to the plate and built a 4-2 lead without recording a hit against the right-hander.
Geoff Hartlieb replaced Nett with the bases loaded and no outs. Although three inherited runners scored, Hartlieb stopped the damage and kept the Express off the scoreboard for the rest of his outing.
The veteran right-hander tossed three scoreless innings, allowing three hits while striking out five to improve to 4-0 on the season.
Meneses and Serven spark the comeback
Las Vegas erased the deficit in the third inning.
Joshua Kuroda-Grauer singled and Darell Hernaiz reached before Cade Marlowe doubled into right field. Joey Meneses followed with a two-run single that scored Hernaiz and Marlowe, tying the game at 4-4.
The Aviators grabbed the lead for good an inning later.
After Michael Stefanic drew a leadoff walk, Brian Serven launched a two-run homer to left-center field. The blast, Serven’s sixth of the season, gave Las Vegas a 6-4 advantage.
Meneses added insurance in the fifth when he crushed a solo homer to center field for his 10th home run of the season.
The veteran designated hitter finished 2-for-4 with a homer and three RBIs. His 70 RBIs continue to lead the Pacific Coast League, while his .339 batting average ranks among the league leaders.
Deep lineup keeps producing
The Aviators collected 10 hits and continued to showcase one of the deepest lineups in Triple-A.
Hernaiz went 2-for-4 and raised his average to .320. Kuroda-Grauer added two hits and improved to .356. Harris drove in two runs and is batting .328, while Marlowe pushed his average to .319.
Meneses raised his average to .339 and Serven finished the night at .291.
Five members of the starting lineup now own batting averages above .300. Serven and Michael Stefanic entered the game batting .291 and .293, giving Las Vegas seven regulars hitting .290 or better.
Bullpen slams the door
Hartlieb’s outing set the tone for a dominant night from the bullpen.
C.D. Pelham followed with three scoreless innings and highlighted his appearance by picking Aaron Zavala off first base in the fifth. Mitch Kelly worked the final two innings, allowing two hits while striking out three to earn his seventh save of the season.
Round Rock managed only five hits all night and did not score after the second inning.
Morris returns to the mound
The series continues Thursday night at Las Vegas Ballpark.
Las Vegas is expected to start right-hander Gunnar Morris after his recent stint with the Athletics. Morris enters tied for third in the Pacific Coast League with five wins and ranks seventh in the league with 53 strikeouts.
Round Rock is scheduled to counter with right-hander Daniel Corniell, who is 0-2 with a 6.08 ERA.
The Aviators will again lean on a bullpen anchored by Kelly, whose seven saves rank second in the Pacific Coast League.
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Dice City Sports editor Mark Hebert covers the Las Vegas Aces, 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.
