Las Vegas (KSNV) — The Las Vegas Aviators recently faced off against the Oklahoma City Comets in a thrilling six-game series at the Las Vegas Ballpark, wrapping up the weekend with mixed results. Despite losing four out of six games, the Aviators are holding strong with a solid 34-22 season record, securing a one-game lead over the Comets and a 1.5-game lead over the Sugar Land Space Cowboys.
Friday night kicked off in spectacular fashion for the Aviators, who showcased their resilience in a nail-biting 9-7 walk-off victory. The game kept fans on the edge of their seats, with the score tied at seven as the teams entered the eighth inning. Just when it seemed that Oklahoma City was poised to take the lead, scoring one run in the top of the eighth, the Aviators rallied back. In a dramatic ninth inning, they secured the win by scoring two runs, a clear testament to their fighting spirit.
Saturday marked a stark contrast in performance when the teams clashed again. This time, the bats were sizzling as the Comets dominated with a staggering 17-11 victory. The match was nothing short of a slugfest, with both teams racking up a total of 37 hits. At one point, the Aviators overcame a four-run deficit to seize a 10-9 lead after five innings. However, the Comets struck back ferociously, tallying six runs in the sixth inning, which firmly swung the momentum back in their favor.
As if the fireworks of Saturday’s game were not enough, the series finale on Sunday continued to dazzle, albeit with a disappointing outcome for the Aviators. The Comets sealed the series with a decisive 12-3 victory, capitalizing on the momentum cultivated over the weekend. A highlight of this game was the performance of Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Emmet Sheehan, who was on a rehab assignment. Sheehan delivered three stellar innings, allowing just two hits and striking out five batters, displaying the kind of talent that left fans buzzing.
Amidst the ups and downs of the series, one standout player emerged: first baseman Seth Brown. Brown recorded his sixth consecutive multiple-hit game, showcasing his prowess at the plate. His impressive performance earned him the title of Pacific Coast League Player of the Week for the week of May 26 to June 1. Notably, he becomes the second Aviators player to receive this honor in 2025, following catcher Daniel Susac, who was recognized during the week of April 14 to 20.
Looking ahead, the Aviators have three critical series remaining before the end of the first half of the season. To solidify their playoff chances, they need to secure victories against upcoming opponents: the Tacoma Rainiers, Salt Lake Bees, and Sugar Land Space Cowboys. The urgency is palpable, as the first-half champions in both the Pacific Coast and International Leagues will host the best-of-three League Championship Series against the second-half winners from September 23 to 25—a coveted opportunity for any aspiring team.
The Aviators will kick off their six-game series against the Tacoma Rainiers, the Triple-A affiliate of the Seattle Mariners, starting Tuesday, June 3, at Cheney Stadium. As the team gears up for this crucial stretch, fans can only hope that the Aviators channel their competitive spirit and resilience to finish strong.