Las Vegas edges Tacoma 2-1 behind Joey Meneses, Michael Kelly holds lead

The game came down to a pair of sixth-inning execution plays, and Las Vegas made both of them count in a 2-1 win over Tacoma on Tuesday night at Cheney Stadium. Joey Meneses delivered the decisive hit, a two-run single into shallow left field, while Michael Kelly escaped a bases-loaded jam to protect the Aviators’ one-run lead and turn a tight series opener into a Tacoma disappointment.

Tacoma had drawn first blood in the bottom of the third and looked positioned to win another low-scoring game at home. Brock Rodden opened the inning with a walk, Colt Emerson followed with a four-pitch walk, and the pair pulled off a double steal to move into scoring position. Brennen Davis then lifted a sacrifice fly to bring Rodden home, giving the Rainiers a 1-0 lead and putting pressure on Las Vegas to answer with little margin for error.

Randy Dobnak gave Tacoma a chance to hold that edge. He worked six innings, allowing two runs on eight hits with one walk and six strikeouts, and recorded his first quality start of the season. The right-hander kept the game in hand until the sixth, when the Aviators finally strung together the inning they needed. Henry Bolte and Tommy White started it with back-to-back singles, Cade Marlowe sacrificed both runners forward, and Meneses lined a single that plated both runs. Just like that, the 1-0 Tacoma lead was gone and Las Vegas was in front 2-1.

The Rainiers had their best answer in the same inning, loading the bases with one out and threatening to erase the deficit immediately. Kelly slammed the door, however, and Tacoma never found another opening. The Rainiers were retired in order in the ninth, leaving the lone run from Davis’ sacrifice fly as their only score of the night.

Tacoma’s bullpen did its part after Dobnak left. Yosver Zulueta and Domingo Gonzalez combined for three scoreless innings, allowing only three baserunners while striking out three. But in a game shaped by sequencing and one missed opportunity, Las Vegas got the bigger swing and the cleaner escape. Tacoma fell to 14-14, while the Aviators moved to 15-11.

The quick turnaround offered Tacoma a chance to even the series immediately. Gabriel Mosser was scheduled to start Wednesday night against Las Vegas right-hander Joey Estes, with another close game looming at Cheney Stadium.