Albuquerque Isotopes vs Las Vegas Aviators

Las Vegas Aviators pulled off a dramatic come-from-behind victory over the Albuquerque Isotopes on Friday night at Isotopes Park, scoring four runs in the top of the ninth to turn a 3-2 deficit into a 6-4 win.

Seth Johnson (1-0) earned the win with two scoreless innings of relief, striking out four, while Gustavo Rodriguez locked down his second save despite allowing a run in the bottom of the ninth. Albuquerque's TJ Shook (3-3) took the blown save and the loss after surrendering five hits and four runs (three earned) in 1.1 innings.

Isotopes strike early

Albuquerque grabbed the lead in the first inning when Adael Amador singled, advanced to third on a Tyler Freeman single, and scored on Edouard Julien's groundout double play — a 1-0 lead that held through three at-bats.

Las Vegas levelled in the second when Brayan Buelvas singled and scored on Colby Halter's double to centre. But Albuquerque answered immediately in the bottom half: Chad Stevens singled, stole second, and scored on a Nic Kent single that became a two-base error from Aviators starter James Gonzalez. Bryant Betancourt followed with a double to score Kent, putting the Isotopes up 3-1.

Brooks settles in

Isotopes starter Jake Brooks settled after a rocky start, working six innings of eight-hit, two-run ball with two strikeouts and one walk. He retired eight of nine batters between the third and fifth innings. Albuquerque carried a 3-2 lead into the late innings.

Ninth-inning explosion

The game flipped in the top of the ninth. Drew Swift singled, Davis Diaz singled, and both advanced into scoring position on an error. Luke Mann delivered the tying single to left, scoring Swift. Jared Dickey loaded the bases with a single. After a strikeout, Joey Meneses lifted a sacrifice fly to right, giving Las Vegas its first lead at 4-3.

Jared Dickey then stole second, and Brayan Buelvas punched a soft ground ball toward the mound. Shook's throw sailed wide, allowing two more runs to score. Buelvas was thrown out at second trying to advance, but the damage was done: Las Vegas 6-3.

Albuquerque got one back in the bottom of the ninth on Chad Stevens' two-out RBI single off Rodriguez, but the right-hander struck out Roc Riggio swinging to end the game.

Key performers

• Seth Johnson (LV): W, 2.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K — dominant relief kept the game close.
• Denzel Clarke (LV): 3-for-4, RBI, run — reached base four times from the leadoff spot.
• Brayan Buelvas (LV): 2-for-5, game-tying and go-ahead RBI, run.
• Luke Mann (LV): 1-for-1, game-tying RBI single as a ninth-inning pinch-hitter.
• Jake Brooks (ABQ): 6.0 IP, 8 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 2 K — quality start, no decision.
• Nic Kent (ABQ): 2-for-3, triple, RBI, walk.
• Chad Stevens (ABQ): 2-for-4, RBI, stolen base.

Player of the Match: Brayan Buelvas (Las Vegas Aviators) — his two-run single in the ninth broke the game open.

Turning point

TJ Shook entered in the eighth with one out and a runner on first, induced a pop-out, then returned for the ninth. After recording one out, he allowed five consecutive batters to reach. The critical sequence: with runners on second and third and one out, Shook could not locate his breaking ball, and Mann's single through the left side tied the game. Three batters later, Buelvas' ground ball found Shook's glove, but the pitcher's throw skipped past first base, allowing two more runs.

By the numbers — interpreted

The box score tells a story of two bullpens heading in opposite directions. Las Vegas relievers combined for 3.0 scoreless innings (Tur, Suero, Johnson) before Rodriguez wobbled in the ninth; the Aviators' pen surrendered zero earned runs across four frames. Albuquerque's relievers, by contrast, allowed four runs (three earned) in 3.0 innings. Las Vegas hit 5-for-12 with runners in scoring position; Albuquerque went 3-for-18. The Isotopes left 12 runners on base to the Aviators' eight — missed opportunities that proved decisive.

What it means

Las Vegas improved to 70-52 in PCL play, solidifying their position in the Western Division playoff race. Albuquerque dropped to 61-63, now seven games under .500. The Aviators won the series, taking the final two games against the Isotopes. Both teams play the series finale on Sunday, August 23 at Isotopes Park (first pitch 1:35 PM MT).

Verdict

A textbook bullpen victory for Las Vegas, who stayed patient against a quality Brooks start and pounced the moment Shook ran out of answers. Albuquerque will rue a 3-for-18 clip with RISP and a bullpen that could not close out a game that was theirs to win through eight innings.