PCL1 Las Vegas Aviators

Aviators' Home Struggles Continue in 10-7 Loss to Fresno

Published on May 5, 2019 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Las Vegas Aviators News Release


During their inaugural homestand at Las Vegas Ballpark in mid-April, the Aviators could do no wrong. They hit well, they pitched well, they defended well, and they treated their fans to six victories in seven games.

Unfortunately, the baseball gods - ever so fickle and unpredictable - have pulled the rug out from under the hometown team ever since.

Despite a valiant comeback attempt - their second in as many nights against the Fresno Grizzlies - the Aviators couldn't get over the hump Saturday night, losing 10-7 for their seventh consecutive home loss and ninth overall in their past 11 games.

Any losing streak, especially one at home, is difficult to swallow. But this one has been particularly bitter because the Aviators (17-13) desperately want to reward their loyal fan base that has packed Las Vegas Ballpark to capacity each and every night this season. In fact, Saturday's crowd of 9,984 was the 14th sellout in as many games at the sparkling new yard in Summerlin.

If there's been one consistent issue that has plagued the Aviators during their recent home struggles it's been inconsistent pitching, and that continued Saturday, as starter Jake Buchanan surrendered four runs before recording two outs in the top of the first inning. Although the right-hander settled down from there, allowing just one run on two hits over the next four innings, the bullpen couldn't keep the Grizzlies (14-15) in check, as four Las Vegas relievers combined to allow five runs over the final four innings.

Looking for positives in another tough defeat? There were several. Aviators shortstop Jorge Mateo hit a leadoff home run in the bottom of the first and added a single, two-run double and his team-leading eighth stolen base. Second baseman Corban Joseph reached base in all five of his plate appearances, going 3-for-3 with a walk and two RBIs. And center fielder Dustin Fowler went 3-for-5 (two singles, triple) and scored twice.

Mateo, Joseph and Fowler were at the center of the Aviators' best moment Saturday, when they scored four times in the sixth to erase a 6-2 deficit. The rally started with Fowler's leadoff single. Then with one out and the bases loaded, Mateo lashed a two-run single into right field, using his blazing speed to stretch the hit into the double. That hustle paid off one out later when Joseph ripped a single to center, plating Mark Payton from third and Mateo from second.

Unfortunately, the Grizzlies quickly regained momentum, and the lead, scoring twice in the top of the seventh on a bases-loaded RBI single by Jose Marmolejos and a balk by Aviators relief pitcher Miguel Romero.

Las Vegas got one of those runs back in the bottom of the seventh on third baseman Eric Campbell's booming leadoff homer off Fresno reliever J.J. Hoover (1-0). After the Grizzlies picked up an insurance run in the eighth, the Aviators tried to rally once more, but with runners on first and third and two outs, designated hitter Seth Brown flied out to end the inning, the threat and, essentially, the game.

NOTES: Through the first two games of the four-game series against Fresno, Joseph is 6-for-8 (including hitting for the cycle) with five RBIs. ... Mateo, who entered Saturday with the most hits in the Pacific Coast League, has now hit safely in 24 of 27 games, including 14 multi-hit contests. ... With each team hit two home runs Saturday, there have now been 43 long balls in the last seven games at Las Vegas Ballpark. ... The Aviators on Sunday will transform into the Las Vegas Reyes de Plata for the first time this season, as the club celebrates the local Hispanic/Latino community as part of Minor League Baseball's Copa de la Diversión ("Fun Cup") series. Paul Blackburn (3-1, 5.25 ERA) will take the mound for the Reyes de Plata, while fellow right-hander Mario Sanchez will make his Triple-A debut for the Grizzlies (who will morph into the Lowriders de Fresno). First pitch is at 12:05 p.m., and the first 2,500 fans into Las Vegas Ballpark will receive a Reyes de Plata T-shirt.

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Pacific Coast League Stories from May 5, 2019


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