LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — In front of more than 10,000 fans at Las Vegas Ballpark, the Aviators nearly pulled off a storybook ending. Instead, their season ended in heartbreak.
Trailing 6-1 in the ninth inning, Las Vegas rallied to life. Bryan Lavastida drilled a three-run homer as part of a five-run surge that gave the Aviators a 7-6 lead. But in the bottom half, Jacksonville’s Jacob Berry connected on a two-run walk-off home run to give the Jumbo Shrimp an 8-7 win and the Triple-A national title.
“It had everything in this game that you wanted as far as excitement,” Jacksonville manager Daren Brown said. “So hopefully everybody got to enjoy it. I know we’re enjoying it right now.”
For Las Vegas, the result couldn’t overshadow what was a historic season. During the game, Aviators skipper Fran Riordan was named Pacific Coast League Manager of the Year for the third time in his career.
“I told the guys a little bit earlier they have a lot to be proud of. Nothing to bang their heads about… we won the first half, we won the PCL title, and we competed to the very end here in the Triple-A title.”
Fans echoed that pride. “They were always champions,” Aviators fan George Valdez said. “They kept winning, kept winning.” Another fan, Steve Keltie, noted the excitement of seeing Aviators called up to the majors: “Over the last half of the season, how many of these guys have been called up to the A’s? It’s been really cool.”
Las Vegas captured its first PCL championship since 1988 by sweeping Tacoma earlier this week, finishing the season with an 85-68 record. The run also highlighted the depth of the Athletics’ farm system — and offered a preview of what’s to come when the A’s move to Las Vegas in 2028.
“We did some things here in Las Vegas that haven’t been done in the history of professional baseball here,” Riordan said.
-
Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge inspires Las Vegas veteran on 9/11 anniversary
On the 24th anniversary of 9/11, Las Vegas veteran and Tillman Scholar Matt Balint shares how the Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge honors sacrifice and continues to inspire a generation of service members.
Sweet 16: The Aces finish their regular season with victory over the Sparks
Tonight's pre-game show starts at 6:30 p.m. on The Spot Vegas 34. The game starts at 7 p.m. and immediately followed by the post-game show.
NCAA bans 3 college basketball players for betting on their own games
The NCAA banned three men's college basketball players for sports betting, saying they had bet on their own games and were able to share thousands of dollars in payouts.
Las Vegas Aces forward returns to basketball with new perspective
Aces fans gave a standing ovation to Cheyenne Parker-Tyus as she took the court Tuesday night at T-Mobile Arena in honor of her season debut.
