LAS VEGAS, NV (August 7, 2026) — The Tacoma Rainiers (14-23/47-65) dropped Friday night’s game to the Las Vegas Aviators (20-17/63-46) by a score of 4-2. Gunner Mayer, Seth Shuman, and Reid VanScoter held Las Vegas hitless across 2.2 combined innings of relief. Spencer Packard and Nick Raposo drove in the only two runs for Tacoma out of the eighth and ninth spot in the order.
Las Vegas got on the board first in the bottom of the second inning. With one out, Bryan Lavastida was hit by a pitch. Then, Brayan Buelvas and Cole Conn worked back-to-back walks to load the bases. Darell Hernaiz hit a soft line drive into left center field, plating Lavastida and Conn to give the Aviators a 2-0 lead.
Las Vegas added a run in the fourth inning when Buelvas (12) crushed a one-out solo homer over the left-center field wall, making it 3-0.
The Aviators continued to pad their lead in the home half of the sixth inning. Back-to-back doubles from Lavastida and Buelvas to lead off the frame brought Lavastida home to score to make it 4-0.
Tacoma got on the board in the seventh inning. Lazaro Montes worked a leadoff walk and advanced to second two batters later when Brock Rodden beat out an infield single. After Victor Labrada popped out, Spencer Packard laced a two-out single into left-center field. Rodden stopped at third and Montes trotted home to score the Rainiers’ first run, 4-1. Then, Nick Raposo ripped a double into the right-center field gap, plating Rodden from third to bring Tacoma within two.
Tacoma was set down in order in the ninth inning, falling 4-2 in game four of the six-game set. The Rainiers will attempt to retake the series lead Thursday night. RHP Gabe Mosser will take the mound for Tacoma. First pitch is set for 7:05 PM.
POSTGAME NOTES:
- Tacoma relievers tossed 2.2 hitless innings on Friday allowing three walks while striking out three…it’s the sixth time this season the Tacoma bullpen has held an opponent hitless in a game and the first since June 30 against Reno…it lowered the group’s ERA on the season to 4.32 (213 ER/444.0 IP), the lowest bullpen ERA in the PCL this season and the fourth-lowest in Triple-A…it’s the eighth-lowest bullpen ERA by a Rainiers group since 2005 through the team’s first 112 games.
- INF Ryan Bliss singled in the sixth inning Friday night, marking his 31st hit against Las Vegas this season…he finished 1-for-4…Bliss’ 31 hits against Aviators pitching are the most by a Rainiers hitter against one opponent in a single season since 2005…it also marked Bliss’ 22nd hit at Las Vegas Ballpark this season, the most by an opposing player in a single season since 2005.
- INF/OF Connor Joe reached base safely in two of his four plate appearances Friday night, finishing 1-for-3 with a walk…since July 21, Joe’s .467 OBP is the fifth-best in the PCL.