Keuchel exits early as Aviators fall to Tacoma

The Las Vegas Aviators erased a four-run deficit Thursday, but Tacoma answered with another surge and pulled away for a 10-6 win at Las Vegas Ballpark.

Las Vegas tied the game 5-5 with four runs in the fifth, only to watch the Rainiers score five unanswered runs over the next three innings. The Aviators fell to 63-46 and lost their second straight.

Dallas Keuchel struggled with command in his third start for Las Vegas, while the bullpen could not hold the game after the offense rallied.

Keuchel exits in the first

Keuchel lasted just two-thirds of an inning after throwing 45 pitches.

Ryan Bliss walked to open the game and scored on Nolan Jones’ double. Keuchel then issued two more walks and threw a wild pitch before Domingo Robles entered with the bases loaded and two outs.

Robles retired Brock Rodden to strand all three inherited runners, limiting Tacoma to one run.

Keuchel allowed one hit, walked three and struck out one.

Aviators answer in the fifth

Tacoma extended its lead to 5-1 before Las Vegas finally broke through.

Bryan Lavastida walked, then Darell Hernaiz and Jack Winkler singled. Winkler drove in Lavastida before Drew Swift followed with a two-run single.

Michael Stefanic then singled home Swift to tie the game 5-5.

The Aviators scored four runs on four hits in the inning.

Tacoma takes control again

The tie did not last.

James Gonzalez allowed a three-run homer to Michael Arroyo in the sixth, putting Tacoma back ahead 8-5. Wander Suero allowed an unearned run in the seventh before A.J. Causey surrendered another in the eighth.

Gonzalez took the loss after allowing four runs on four hits across 1 1/3 innings.

Las Vegas had erased a four-run deficit, but Tacoma’s five unanswered runs put the game away.

Buelvas, Lavastida provide power

Brayan Buelvas homered in the fourth, his 11th of the season.

Lavastida added a solo home run in the eighth and finished 2-for-3 with a double, walk, two runs and an RBI.