Aviators lose series as Tacoma erases early lead

The Aviators added three runs in the third. Darell Hernaiz singled, stole second and scored on Brayan Buelvas’ double.

Joey Meneses later scored on a wild pitch before Jack Winkler singled home Buelvas, extending the lead to 4-0.

Las Vegas had a chance to add more in the fourth.

Stefanic singled, Hernaiz doubled and Bryan Lavastida walked to load the bases with nobody out. However, Meneses struck out before Buelvas grounded into an inning-ending double play.

That missed opportunity became costly.

Magdic loses control of the lead

Magdic retired the first nine Tacoma hitters before the lineup broke through in the fourth.

Ryan Bliss was hit by a pitch before Michael Arroyo doubled him home. Patrick Wisdom followed with a two-run homer to center, cutting the lead to 4-3.

Magdic settled down in the fifth, but Tacoma completed the comeback an inning later.

Arroyo tied the game with a solo homer. Lazaro Montes then singled before Connor Joe doubled him home, giving Tacoma its first lead.

Stuart Fairchild followed with an RBI single to make it 6-4.

Magdic allowed six runs on eight hits across six innings. He struck out five, did not issue a walk and fell to 0-2.

Offense cools after fast start

Las Vegas collected eight hits over the first four innings but managed only two the rest of the way.

The Aviators again threatened in the eighth when Winkler and Jared Dickey walked. Stefanic lined out before Hernaiz struck out to end the inning.

Las Vegas finished 2-for-12 with runners in scoring position and stranded 12.

Buelvas led the offense with three hits, including a double, and drove in one run. Stefanic went 2-for-4 with his sixth home run, while Hernaiz added two hits and a double.

Tacoma adds late insurance

James Gonzalez and Wander Suero combined to keep Tacoma scoreless in the seventh and eighth.

However, Hayden Juenger allowed two runs in the ninth. Bliss singled, stole second and scored when Brock Rodden hit a two-run homer to center.

The insurance runs pushed Tacoma’s lead to 8-4.

Las Vegas loaded the bases with one out in the bottom half before Chad Wallach drove in Lavastida with a sacrifice fly. Winkler then struck out to end the game.

The Aviators have now lost back-to-back series and enter Monday’s off day at 64-48.

Up next

Las Vegas is off Monday before opening a six-game series against first-place Sacramento on Tuesday at Las Vegas Ballpark.

The River Cats enter the series at 64-47, a half-game ahead of the Aviators in the PCL West second-half standings. First pitch Tuesday is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. PDT.

Neither team had announced a starting pitcher.

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