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.
-
Hat trick leads to Blackhawks' 3-2 OT victory over Golden Knights
Mark Stone and Brandon Saad scored for Vegas. Stone had his fourth goal in four games to give Vegas a 2-1 lead 42 seconds into the second period.
Raiders upset Chiefs 14-12 in season finale
Raiders beat Chiefs 14-12 to end worst season since 2006. Daniel Carlson's 60-yard field goal seals upset victory as Las Vegas earns first overall draft pick.
Myles Garrett gets sack No. 23 to set NFL single-season record
Cleveland Browns All-Pro pass rusher Myles Garrett set the NFL's single-season sack record, reaching No. 23 for the season during Sunday's game against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Boxer Tyson Fury says he is coming out of retirement in 2026
Tyson Fury is returning to the ring after announcing that he will step out of retirement. The former heavyweight world champion confirmed his comeback in a post on social media.
