PHOTO REEL: Las Vegas Aviators vs Tacoma Rainiers – MiLB Series 15 - Game 6 - 2026

The Las Vegas Aviators closed out their six-game homestand with a 3-1 victory over the Tacoma Rainiers on Sunday afternoon at Las Vegas Ballpark, finishing in front of a crowd of 4,218. The win improved Las Vegas to a Triple-A best 56-35 (.615) overall and 12-6 in the second half, while Tacoma fell to 40-53 overall and 7-11 in the second half.

Right-hander Luis Morales earned the victory after delivering 6.0 sharp innings, allowing 4 hits and 1 unearned run while walking none and striking out a season-high 9 batters on 98 pitches. Tacoma right-hander Nick Hull posted a no-decision after spinning 5.0 shutout innings, surrendering just 2 hits, 1 walk, and 7 strikeouts on 77 pitches. Right-hander Geoff Hartlieb recorded the save, while Gunner Mayer absorbed the loss.

Rainiers shortstop Ryan Bliss was the most productive hitter on either side, going 3-for-4 with a double, a stolen base, and 1 RBI. For Las Vegas, designated hitter Jared Dickey went 1-for-1 with two walks and a run scored, first baseman Tommy White contributed a 1-for-4 line with an RBI, and catcher Chad Wallach also went 1-for-4. The Aviators trailed 1-0 before plating two runs in the sixth inning and adding a solo run in the seventh. Las Vegas will next travel to Texas for a three-game series against the Round Rock Express, Triple-A affiliate of the Texas Rangers, July 17-19 following the Triple-A break.

The Las Vegas Aviators rallied from a two-run deficit to defeat the Tacoma Rainiers, 8-7, in 10 innings in game five of the six-game series Saturday before a crowd of 6,783 at Las Vegas Ballpark. The win improved Las Vegas to 55-35 overall and 11-6 in the second half — the best record in Triple-A — while Tacoma dropped to 40-52 overall and 7-10 in the second half. The Rainiers lead the series, 3-games-to-2.

Right-hander Joey Estes started for Las Vegas and worked 5.2 innings in a no-decision, allowing 7 hits and 5 runs while walking 2 and striking out 6 on 99 pitches. Tacoma right-hander Casey Lawrence also received a no-decision after tossing 5.1 innings, surrendering 6 hits and 4 runs with 3 strikeouts on 79 pitches. Right-hander Brady Basso earned the win, while right-hander Alex Hoppe was tagged with the loss.

Trailing 7-5, the Aviators forced extras when second baseman Michael Stefanic laced a two-run RBI double with two outs in the ninth inning, going 1-for-5 on the night. Shortstop Drew Swift (0-for-4) then delivered the walk-off, drawing a bases-loaded walk on a 3-2 pitch with two outs in the 10th. Left fielder Max Muncy was a catalyst throughout, going 3-for-4 with a walk, a home run, 2 RBI and two runs scored. Third baseman Patrick Wisdom of the Rainiers went 2-for-5 with a home run — his Pacific Coast League-leading 24th — and 3 RBI in a losing effort. The series finale is Sunday at 12:05 p.m. at Las Vegas Ballpark.

The Tacoma Rainiers defeated the Las Vegas Aviators, 12-10, in game four of a six-game series Friday night at Las Vegas Ballpark, drawing a fireworks night crowd of 6,932. Tacoma won its third straight game to improve to 40-51 overall and 7-9 in the second half, while Las Vegas dropped to 54-35 overall and 10-6 in the second half.

Aviators right-hander Chen Zhong-Ao Zhuang suffered the loss after allowing 9 hits and 8 runs over 4.1 innings, striking out one on 81 pitches (50 strikes). Rainiers right-hander Carson Fulmer earned the victory, pitching 6.0 innings and surrendering 7 hits, 7 runs and 3 walks while striking out 5 on 96 pitches (64 strikes). Right-hander Josh Simpson closed out the game to record the save.

Tacoma left fielder Michael Arroyo paced the offensive attack, going 2-for-3 with a double, a home run and a game-high 5 RBI. Shortstop Ryan Bliss recorded his second straight 4-for-5 performance, adding three doubles, 2 RBI, a stolen base and four runs scored for the Rainiers. Center fielder Stuart Fairchild went 2-for-4 with two solo home runs, and catcher Jhonny Pereda contributed a 2-for-4 line with a double, a solo home run and two runs scored. For Las Vegas, designated hitter Michael Stefanic went 3-for-4 with a home run, a sacrifice fly and 3 RBI, while right fielder Brayan Buelvas went 2-for-4 with a walk, two solo home runs and three runs scored. Tacoma leads the series three games to one heading into game five Saturday at 7:05 p.m. at Las Vegas Ballpark.

The Tacoma Rainiers defeated the Las Vegas Aviators, 9-7, in game two of a six-game series Thursday night at Las Vegas Ballpark before a crowd of 4,458. The Rainiers, trailing 7-5 entering the ninth inning, rallied for four runs to steal the victory and even the series at one game apiece. Las Vegas dropped to 54-33 — still the best record in Triple-A — and 10-4 in the second half, while Tacoma improved to 38-51 overall and 5-9 in the second half.

Aviators right-hander Braden Nett started and worked 2.2 innings, allowing 3 hits and 1 run while walking 3 and striking out 4, earning a no-decision. Rainiers left-hander Jhonathan Diaz also received a no-decision after pitching 5.0 innings, surrendering 9 hits and 7 runs — just 4 earned — with 2 walks and 1 strikeout on 91 pitches. Right-hander Alex Hoppe earned the win for Tacoma, while Aviators right-hander Wander Suero was tagged with the loss after the ninth-inning collapse.

Second baseman Darell Hernaiz led all hitters with a 3-for-5 night that included a home run and 4 RBI for Las Vegas. Right fielder Brayan Buelvas went 3-for-3 with a walk, a triple, an RBI and a run scored, and catcher Brian Serven added a 3-for-5 effort with a triple and a run scored. For Tacoma, shortstop Brock Rodden went 3-for-4 with two walks, a double, an RBI, a stolen base and a run scored, while designated hitter Spencer Packard was 3-for-4 with a walk and two runs scored, and center fielder Victor LaBrada contributed a 2-for-4 line with a double, a triple, 3 RBI and a run scored. Game three of the six-game homestand is Thursday at 7:05 p.m. on $2.00 Beer Night at Las Vegas Ballpark.

The Las Vegas Aviators (Reyes de Plata) defeated the Tacoma Rainiers, 9-5, in the opener of a six-game homestand Tuesday night at Las Vegas Ballpark before a crowd of 4,543. Las Vegas overcame a 3-0 deficit, scoring six runs over the first four innings to seize a 6-3 lead and never looked back, improving to a Triple-A best 54-32 (.628) overall and 10-3 in the second half. Tacoma fell to 37-51 overall and 4-9 in the second half.

The theme for the Las Vegas Aviators last night was momentum and preparation.  The Aviators have already clinched a spot in the 2026 Pacific Coast League playoffs, making this six-game series against the Tacoma Rainiers a chance to build rhythm for a deep postseason run.  

Even with a slow start, Las Vegas was able to put some big hits on the scoreboard, putting them in the lead five to three.  First baseman Joey Meneses, recently named Pacific Coast League Player of the Week, was called up by the Oakland Athletics after consistently delivering quality at-bats and driving in runs when the team needed him most. He led all offensive performers, going 2-for-4 with a home run, 3 RBI and 2 runs scored. Performances like this are critical for the Aviators to maintain that confidence and flow into the playoffs.  

Right-hander Luis Morales took the no-decision for the Aviators, pitching 4.2 innings and allowing 5 hits, 3 runs (2 earned), 2 walks, and 4 strikeouts on 88 pitches. Right-hander Hayden Juenger earned the win in relief. Tacoma right-hander Nick Hull suffered the loss after surrendering 6 hits, 6 runs (4 earned), 3 walks, and 1 strikeout across 4.0 innings on 62 pitches.

Second baseman Michael Stefanic was a consistently reliable hitter, keeping innings alive by repeatedly getting on base.  Behind the plate, catcher Chad Wallach was another key player for the Las Vegas Aviators, guiding the pitchers through the competitive Tacoma lineup throughout the night.

Third baseman Tommy White went 3-for-4 with a double, an RBI, and a run scored, while second baseman Drew Swift and left fielder Bryan Buelvas each went 2-for-4 with a double.  Game two of the six-game series is scheduled for Wednesday at 7:05 p.m. at Las Vegas Ballpark.

-Lily Martin

@Latest_With_Lily