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Returning home from a rough series loss in Reno during which they had two blown saves, Las Vegas (29-25) aimed to turn things around against Tacoma Saturday night. Rafael Montero started, and was staked to a two-run lead in the bottom of the first inning.

Dilson Herrera led off with a walk and went to third on an errant pick-off attempt by Rainiers pitcher Sam Gaviglio. T.J. Rivera grounded out to third allowing Herrera to score. Then Johnny Monell sent a line-drive over the wall in right for a solo homer.

Unfortunately, Montero gave back those two runs in the top of the second. Giving up three hits in the inning including a double and triple, Montero was getting hit hard. In the third another run came in on three more hit and a walk. Seven hitters came to the plate in both of those innings. Tacoma scored a fourth run in the fifth on consecutive doubles. Montero gave up four runs on nine hits in seven innings of work. He was helped out by a couple of double plays to limit the damage. But after the first inning, the 51s offense stalled and by the time Montero’s night was down, Vegas was still down 4-3.

On offense, Herrera hit a high arching home run in the bottom of the seventh to get the 51s a little closer. Paul Sewald came on in the eighth and struggled giving up a home run to designated hitter Dario Pizzano and a triple to center fielder Boog Powell. Powell  came all the way home on an error. But Sewald has given up 12 runs, 8 earned, on 18 hits over his last 1o appearances.

In the bottom of the eighth, Brandon Nimmo doubled and scored on a double by Monell, but the rally was cut short when Monell was cut down at third trying to take an extra base.

Chase Bradford pitched the ninth and gave up a home run to second baseman Chris Taylor. With the Rainiers’ lead now 7-4, Vegas had one last chance to catch up.

They got the inning off to a good start with back-to-back doubles by Eric Campbell and Travis Taijeron to score one. With one out Gavin Cecchini kept things going with a single, driving in Taijeron. Kyle Johnson followed with a double to drive in Cecchini with the tying run. Herrera capped off the comeback with a single to drive in Johnson with the game-winner. The win is the second walk-off in the last three days, which may be just what Vegas needs to shake off the 1-3 series loss to Reno.

Top Performers:

Herrera went 3-5 including the game-winning hit, he scored two runs and drove in two. He also hit a home run, his 9th of the year. Monell went 2-4 with two RBI, a run scored and a home run. Brandon Nimmo, Eric Campbell and Gavin Cecchini each had two hits with a run scored. T.J. Rivera had a single and has hit safely in 18 of his last 19 games. Box Score

Binghamton Mets (22-32) 3 vs. Altoona Curve 0 BOX SCORE

Binghamton evened up th series against the Pittsburgh Pirates Double-A Affiliate by a 3-0 final score.

Cruzado had his fourth multi-hit game in his last five games. Mazzilli is hitting .419 in his last ten games.

  • Rainy Lara RHP: 7 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 6 K, W (3-6, 4.78 ERA)
  • Tim Peterson RHP: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 0 BB (Hold. 9.53 ERA)
  • Akeel Morris RHP: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 2 K (4th save, 4.63 ERA)

After he was named MMN reliever of the Month, Morris had a rough outing last time out but bounced back with a dominant ninth for his fourth save.

Brevard County Manatees 9 vs. St. Lucie Mets (26-29) 4 BOX SCORE

The St. Lucie Mets lose their third in a row, second against the Milwaukee Brewers Class-A Affiliate.

Amed Rosario has his third multi-hit game in the last four games. Biondi had his second straight two hit game.

Reyes lost his third straight decision. He did not make it thru six innings for the seventh time in ten outings (nine starts). It was the second start where Reyes allowed ten or more hits.

Hagerstown Suns 2 vs. Colombia Fireflies (28-28) 1 F/12 BOX SCORE

The Fireflies could not avoid the sweep against the Washington Nationals Full Season-A Affiliate, droping the final game 2-1 after 12 innings.

The Fireflies managed only four total hits in 12 innings. Thompson hit his fourth homerun of the season, his second RBI since his return from the DL. Thompson now has 42 RBI’s for the season. He still leads the South Atlantic League in Runs Batted in.

  • P.J. Conlon LHP: 10 IP (no typo) 3 H, 1 R, 0 ER, BB, 5 K (7-1 1.21 ERA)
  • Alex Palsha RHP: 2 IP, 1 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 3 K, L (2-2 3.12 ERA)

P.J. Conlon was outstanding again going TEN innings, needing only 97 pitches to do so. He lowered his ERA to 1.21 which now leads the South Atlantic League. He still leads the league in wins with seven although he did not get the win after this amazing start.

The Dominican Summer League began yesterday as well with Andres Gimenez hitting a grand slam in his first pro game. You can read the full recap here.

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