Aviators win 3-2 as bullpen slams door on Reno

The Aviators keep stacking one-run wins.

Las Vegas slipped past Reno 3-2 on Thursday afternoon at Greater Nevada Field, riding four scoreless innings from Gage Jump and a sharp bullpen finish to improve to 21-19.

The formula was simple. Pitch. Scratch out runs. Close the door.

Jump sets the tone

Jump worked four shutout innings, allowing four hits while striking out six. He attacked early, filled the zone and stranded traffic in the second and fourth to keep the game scoreless.

More importantly, he handed the ball off with momentum firmly on Las Vegas’ side.

Fifth-inning breakthrough

The game flipped in the fifth.

After Jared Dickey singled and Colby Halter reached on a bunt and throwing error, Drew Swift worked a walk to load the bases. Joshua Kuroda-Grauer then drew a bases-loaded walk to force home the first run, continuing his hot stretch at the plate.

Moments later, Brett Harris delivered the big swing of the afternoon. His single to right scored two, giving the Aviators a 3-0 cushion that proved just enough.

Harris finished with two RBIs, while Kuroda-Grauer added one as he continues to produce in the middle of the order.

Tur earns first as an Aviator

Yunior Tur took over in the fifth and quieted Reno immediately, striking out the side in his first inning of work. He finished with two innings, allowing one run on two hits while striking out four to earn his first win of the season and his first as an Aviator.

Through his first appearance with Las Vegas this year, Tur now owns a 3.50 ERA and showed the swing-and-miss stuff that made him an intriguing bullpen piece.

Reno finally broke through in the sixth, but Tur limited the damage to a single run.

Lockdown finish

Matt Krook handled the seventh and eighth, punching out four without allowing a run. Elvis Alvarado then took the ball in the ninth and retired the side in order for his first save of the season.

Las Vegas struck out 14 Reno hitters overall and held the Aces to just one run on six hits.

It was not flashy. It was efficient.

And once again, it was enough.

Up next

The Aviators continue the series Friday night at Greater Nevada Field. First pitch is scheduled for 9:05 p.m. EDT as Las Vegas looks to build on back-to-back tight wins over Reno.

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