The Las Vegas Aviators found enough offense Saturday, but their pitching staff carried the night.
Las Vegas held El Paso scoreless over the final six innings and earned a 5-1 victory at Las Vegas Ballpark. The Aviators improved to 61-38, won their fourth straight game and took a 4-1 lead in the six-game series.
Jake Garland allowed one run over three innings in his third Triple-A start. James Gonzalez, Andrew Bash and Gustavo Rodriguez combined for six scoreless innings behind him.
Garland limits the damage
Garland allowed four hits, struck out two and did not issue a walk. He threw 29 of 53 pitches for strikes.
The right-hander kept El Paso scoreless through two innings before Dustin Harris tripled in the third. Carlos Rodríguez followed with a sacrifice fly that tied the game 1-1.
Garland avoided further damage and completed the inning before Gonzalez took over in the fourth.
Saturday marked Garland’s third start for Las Vegas. He joined the Aviators after posting a 2.48 ERA across 29 innings with Double-A Midland.
Lavastida creates the early offense
The Aviators scored first without needing a big inning.
Michael Stefanic walked to open the second, stole second and moved to third on Jared Dickey’s groundout. Bryan Lavastida then brought him home with an infield single.
After El Paso tied the game, Las Vegas answered in the fourth.
Joey Meneses and Stefanic opened the inning with singles before Dickey walked to load the bases. Lavastida drew another walk, forcing home Meneses with the go-ahead run.
Brayan Buelvas then grounded into a double play, but Stefanic scored to extend the lead to 3-1.
Lavastida finished with two RBIs, one hit, one walk and his ninth stolen base.
Meneses adds insurance
Las Vegas managed only five hits, but nine walks created several scoring opportunities.
The Aviators loaded the bases with three walks in the seventh. Meneses followed with a two-out, two-run single to right, giving Las Vegas a 5-1 lead.
Meneses finished 2-for-4 with two RBIs and one run. His season total increased to 87 RBIs.
Stefanic reached three times, scored twice and stole his eighth base. Drew Swift also walked twice and recorded his 15th steal.
Las Vegas finished 3-for-11 with runners in scoring position.
Bullpen closes six scoreless innings
Gonzalez allowed one hit across 2 2/3 scoreless innings. He struck out two and earned the win, improving to 4-1.
Bash recorded the final out of the sixth, then worked around a ground-rule double in the seventh. He completed 1 1/3 scoreless innings and earned his third hold.
Rodriguez retired all six batters he faced over the final two innings. He struck out two and lowered his ERA to 1.42.
Together, the Aviators’ pitchers allowed six hits, struck out seven and did not issue a walk. El Paso went 0-for-5 with runners in scoring position.
The victory came before 7,877 fans on Harry Potter Jersey Night.
Up next
The Aviators and Chihuahuas conclude the series Sunday at 6:05 p.m. PDT at Las Vegas Ballpark.
El Paso right-hander Boyle (7-6, 5.76 ERA) is scheduled to start. Las Vegas had not announced its starter.
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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.
