The Las Vegas Aviators took advantage of six Salt Lake errors and rode another strong start from Jacob Lopez to an 8-4 victory over the Bees on Thursday night at The Ballpark at America First Square.
Las Vegas improved to 51-31 and maintained its lead atop the Pacific Coast League West after opening the series with consecutive wins.
Five-run second gives Aviators early control
The Aviators broke the game open with five runs in the second inning, sending 10 batters to the plate.
Brian Serven started the rally with a single before Chad Wallach drove him home with an RBI single. Bryan Lavastida then scored when Jack Winkler reached on a fielder’s choice and a missed catch by second baseman Christian Moore. Drew Swift followed with an RBI single before Michael Stefanic ripped a two-run double to right. A fielding error by right fielder Bryce Teodosio allowed Stefanic to advance to third as Las Vegas grabbed a 5-0 lead.
The Aviators added another run in the third when Bryan Lavastida singled and scored on Jack Winkler’s RBI single. A throwing error by second baseman Christian Moore allowed Winkler to advance to third.
Lopez continues turnaround on the mound
Jacob Lopez continued his recent turnaround with another strong outing. After surrendering 11 earned runs over 3 2/3 innings in back-to-back appearances earlier this month, the left-hander has responded by allowing just one earned run across his last 11 1/3 innings. Lopez followed six scoreless innings against Sacramento on Saturday with 5 1/3 innings of one-run ball Thursday, striking out eight to earn his second consecutive victory.
Salt Lake finally broke through in the fifth when Kyren Paris led off with a solo home run.
Lopez departed after 5 1/3 innings, allowing five hits, one run and three walks while throwing 90 pitches.
CD Pelham escaped the sixth with an unusual strikeout-caught stealing double play. After Kyren Paris struck out swinging, catcher Bryan Lavastida caught Yolmer Sánchez attempting to steal second to preserve Las Vegas’ 6-1 lead.
Late insurance offsets Bee’s rally
The Aviators extended their lead in the eighth when Lavastida and Wallach opened the inning with singles. Winkler grounded into a double play, but Lavastida scored to make it 7-2.
Salt Lake answered in the bottom half. Yolmer Sánchez doubled home Ben Gobbel before Yunior Tur committed his second balk of the inning, allowing Sánchez to score and trim the lead to 7-4.
Las Vegas answered immediately in the ninth. Michael Stefanic was hit by a pitch and gave way to pinch-runner Brayan Buelvas. Cade Marlowe’s sacrifice bunt moved Buelvas into scoring position before a throwing error by third baseman Ben Gobbel put runners at the corners. Serven followed with a sacrifice fly to cap the scoring at 8-4.
Brady Basso worked around a leadoff walk in the ninth before inducing a game-ending double play to close out the victory.
By the numbers
Stefanic finished 2-for-4 with a double and two RBIs. Lavastida scored three runs and collected two hits, while Wallach went 2-for-4 with an RBI. Swift added two hits and an RBI, and Tommy White recorded two hits.
The Aviators finished with 12 hits and went 3-for-9 with runners in scoring position. Salt Lake committed six errors, including three by second baseman Christian Moore, helping Las Vegas score three unearned runs.
Up Next
The Aviators continue their six-game series against the Bees on Friday night at The Ballpark at America First Square in South Jordan, Utah. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 p.m. PDT. Probable pitchers had not been announced following Thursday’s game.
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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.
