Aviators open second half with 11-2 rout of Sacramento

Alika Williams watches from the field during a game against the Los Angeles Angels at Sutter Health Park. Two days later, the infielder returned to Triple-A Las Vegas and made an immediate impact, reaching base five times and homering in the Aviators' 11-2 victory over Sacramento to open the second half of the Pacific Coast League season. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images.

The Las Vegas Aviators picked up where they left off Tuesday night.

Less than 48 hours after clinching the Pacific Coast League first-half title, Las Vegas opened the second half with an 11-2 victory over Sacramento at Sutter Health Park.

The Aviators improved to 45-29 overall, collecting 11 hits, drawing 13 walks and scoring in five different innings to secure their fourth straight win.

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His first home run as an Aviator pushed Las Vegas’ lead to 4-0 and highlighted a productive return to the Pacific Coast League.

Williams also teamed with Joshua Kuroda-Grauer and Brett Harris on a double play that erased a Sacramento threat in the second inning.

Zhuang Sets the Tone

Chen Zhong-Ao Zhuang delivered one of his sharpest outings of the season.

The right-hander allowed just two hits over 4.2 scoreless innings while striking out six and walking two. He retired nine of the final 10 batters he faced before turning the game over to the bullpen.

Brady Basso recorded the final out of the fifth and worked a scoreless sixth inning to earn his third victory of the season.

Las Vegas pitchers combined for 12 strikeouts and held Sacramento to five hits.

Two-Out Thunder

The Aviators steadily built their lead before blowing the game open with a five-run fourth inning.

Jared Dickey delivered an RBI single, Chad Wallach added a two-run double and Brayan Buelvas capped the rally with an RBI triple as Las Vegas surged ahead 8-0.

The offense repeatedly came through in key situations. The Aviators finished 5-for-14 with runners in scoring position and produced seven RBIs with two outs.

Kuroda-Grauer drove in two runs, Wallach added two RBIs and Buelvas finished with two RBIs while reaching base four times.

Harris Keeps Rolling

Brett Harris continued his torrid stretch at the plate.

The first baseman reached base five times, scored three runs and launched a solo homer in the eighth inning. He also drew three walks and raised his average to .341.

Dickey scored three runs, while Tommy White crossed the plate twice as Las Vegas continued the offensive surge that helped secure its playoff berth over the weekend.

Bullpen Slams the Door

Sacramento avoided the shutout when Aeverson Arteaga connected for a two-run homer in the seventh inning.

That was the only damage allowed by the Aviators bullpen.

Basso, Wander Suero, Yunior Tur and Andrew Bash combined to cover the final 4.1 innings. Tur and Bash each worked scoreless frames to close out the victory.

Up Next

The Aviators continue their six-game series against Sacramento on Wednesday at Sutter Health Park.

Las Vegas enters the matchup riding a four-game winning streak after clinching the Pacific Coast League first-half title over the weekend.

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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.