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.
-
Knights in the Morning: Brandon Saad talks 15-year career and move to Vegas
As the Vegas Golden Knights look to snap their three-game losing streak on Thursday at home, they're relying on veteran leadership.
Las Vegas 'Donut Boys' football team heads to national championship
The Las Vegas Rebels 8U “Donut Boys” are heading to the National AYF Championship in Florida after three undefeated seasons. The team is raising funds to cover travel and lodging for 45 players.
MLB caps some prop bets at $200 after Guardians players indicted for rigging
MLB and sportsbooks will cap pitch-level bets at $200 and ban parlays after two Cleveland Guardians pitchers were indicted for allegedly rigging pitches.
Monday's matchup means more for VGK fans marking 'Military Appreciation Knight'
Despite the Vegas Golden Knights losing to the Florida Panthers 3-2, Monday night meant more than a game for fans celebrating Military Appreciation Knight.
