Home Runs Power Aviators to Victory

LAS VEGAS, NV – The Tacoma Rainiers (13-5) dropped their first game of the series to the Las Vegas Aviators (6-11) by a score of 4-2, Thursday at Las Vegas Ballpark.

Tacoma and Las Vegas were tied 0-0 until the third inning, when Darell Hernaiz used a two-run home run to break open the scoring. Tacoma cut their deficit in half in the fourth on a single from Jason Vosler and later tied the game in the fifth on a bases loaded walk by Ryan Bliss.

It didn’t stay tied for long, as Daz Cameron clubbed a solo shot to regain the lead for the Aviators, at 3-2. All three runs were tabbed to Tacoma’s starter Dallas Keuchel, who suffered his first loss of the year.

The southpaw allowed five hits while striking out two in a season-high 6.0 innings. An RBI double off the bat of Hoy Park in the seventh inning extended Las Vegas’ lead to 4-2, where it would stay.

Tyler Ferguson took over from there, striking out four over two scoreless innings to earn his second save of the young season.

POSTGAME NOTES:

• After scoring 35 runs on 46 hits over their last three contests, the Rainiers were limited to just two runs on seven hits tonight.
• Collin Snider and Cody Bolton each made their first appearance for Tacoma on their major league rehab assignments. Snider allowed a run on two hits while striking out two and Bolton walked one while striking out two in a scoreless frame.

Tacoma and Las Vegas will play game four of their six-game series tomorrow night, with first pitch from Las Vegas Ballpark scheduled for 7:05 pm. For more information and tickets, visit https://www.milb.com/tacoma.