by Brian Fonseca / A’s Farm Contributor
The Las Vegas Aviators wrapped up their first series as an A’s affiliate on Monday night with a 10-9 comeback victory over the El Paso Chihuahuas. It was the team’s second one-run win of the series. Over the five games, the Aviators’ offense was explosive, putting a total of 49 runs on the board.
Outfielders Dustin Fowler and Mark Payton led the way for Las Vegas, with four home runs apiece in the series. But shortstop Jorge Mateo and outfielder Tyler Ramirez also impressed at the plate, with Mateo compiling 13 total bases and Ramirez putting up an on-base percentage of .500. And skipper Fran Riordan ought to be feeling pretty good as the team heads into its home opener in Las Vegas on Tuesday.
Game #1 – Thursday, April 4: Las Vegas 9 – El Paso 8
The Aviators’ bats came out to play in the season opener on Thursday as Las Vegas rapped out 16 hits. The top of the Aviators’ order wreaked havoc as shortstop Jorge Mateo collected 3 hits, including a home run, while driving in 3 runs, and center fielder Dustin Fowler slugged a pair of home runs. The bottom of the lineup combined for 5 hits as left fielder Tyler Ramirez singled twice and doubled and catcher Sean Murphy chipped in with 2 base knocks. In the middle of the lineup, third baseman Sheldon Neuse and designated hitter Corban Joseph collected a pair of hits apiece. Meanwhile, second baseman Franklin Barretto reached base twice, on a double and a walk. Starter Daniel Mengden pitched the first 5 innings, surrendering 4 runs, 3 earned, on 5 hits. Unfortunately, two of those hits were home runs, but Mengden finished the game with 7 strikeouts. Veteran relievers Ryan Dull and Jerry Blevins recorded scoreless frames in the 6th and 8th innings, respectively, with each striking out the side. Despite allowing 2 runs on 2 hits, Andrew Triggs earned his first win of the season. And Brian Schlitter gave up 2 runs on 3 hits but held on to notch his first save for the Aviators.
Game #2 – Friday April 5: Las Vegas 12 – El Paso 4
The Aviators’ bats stayed hot in the second game of the series and, once again, shortstop Jorge Mateo and outfielder Dustin Fowler led the way at the top of the lineup. Each collected 2 hits, stole a base and scored a run, with Mateo driving in a run and Fowler plating a pair. The bottom of the lineup had a big night as well. Left fielder Mark Payton, batting 9th, clubbed a 3-run homer to go along with a single and 2 walks. Payton was originally drafted by the Yankees in the 7th round back in 2014 but was nabbed by the A’s in the minor league portion of the Rule 5 draft in the offseason. Last year, Nick Martini, who’s currently on the injured list, parlayed a fast start at Triple-A into a prominent role with the A’s. Could Payton be next? First Baseman Eric Campbell collected 2 hits, while second baseman Franklin Barretto was held hitless, but he did reach base via a walk. Starting pitcher Jake Buchanan, who has made 29 big league appearances with the Astros, Cubs and Reds, pitched 6 innings to notch the win. Buchanan allowed 2 runs on 4 hits and 3 walks while striking out 2. Reliever Wei-Chung Wang, who looked impressive in limited action this spring, was touched for a run on 4 hits in 1 2/3 innings. Wang did record 2 strikeouts without issuing a walk. Miguel Romero pitched the 9th and surrendered a run on 3 hits to close things out for Las Vegas.
Game# 3 – Saturday April 6: Las Vegas 12 – El Paso 5
Left fielder Mark Payton struck again on Friday, belting his second home run of the season while collecting 2 doubles as the Aviators smashed 17 hits and rolled to their third straight victory. Dustin Fowler stayed hot, as he also banged out a pair of doubles on the way to a 3-hit night. Second basemen Corban Joseph, right fielder Tyler Ramirez and catcher Beau Taylor recorded 2 hits apiece. Franklin Barretto, making his first start of the season in center field, delivered his first home run of the season, a solo shot in the 6th inning. The veteran bullpen shut the door as Andrew Triggs, Ryan Dull, and Jerry Blevins combined for 4 scoreless innings. Triggs worked the 6th, Dull the 7th and 8th, and Blevins closed out the victory in the 9th. Starter Paul Blackburn earned the win, hurling 5 innings, allowing 4 hits and 3 earned runs. Blackburn did manage to record 8 strikeouts while giving up solo blasts to El Paso’s Luis Urias and Alex Dickerson.
Game #4 – Sunday April 7: El Paso 11 – Las Vegas 6
The Aviators had their three-game winning streak snapped on Sunday. Center fielder Dustin Fowler reached base 4 times, singling twice and walking twice, to raise his on-base percentage on the season to .571. Shortstop Franklin Barreto singled and doubled twice, while left fielder Mark Payton homered for the third straight day and also singled in the game. First baseman Seth Brown belted a two-run homer, and third baseman Eric Campbell singled, doubled and drove in a pair. Starter Tyler Alexander tossed 3 2/3 scoreless innings, while LHP Kyle Lobstein, was charged with 4 runs over 3 innings of work, and LHP Dean Kiekhefer gave up another 4 runs in just 1/3 of an inning to suffer the loss for Las Vegas.
Game #5 – Monday April 8: Las Vegas 10 – El Paso 9
The Aviators concluded their season-opening road trip with a thrilling come-from-behind victory over the host El Paso Chihuahuas. In the top of the 9th, left fielder Tyler Ramirez’s single knocked in Skye Bolt with the go ahead run. Brian Schlitter then pitched a scoreless bottom of the 9th to earn his first victory of the season. Outfielder Dustin Fowler stayed dialed in, clubbing his third and fourth home runs. Over his first 5 games, Fowler has 12 hits, 10 RBI and an on-base percentage of .577, and his slugging percentage currently stands at a staggering 1.130. Fowler’s first home run of the game came at the expense of former Oakland farmhand Dillon Overton. Overton was roughed up for 5 runs in just 1 1/3 innings of work. Designated hitter Mark Payton, remained red hot, blasting his fourth home run in four days. Payton leaves El Paso with 8 hits, 11 RBI and an OPS of 2.078. Center fielder Skye Bolt singled and doubled, while the steady Tyler Ramirez, who slashed .287/.370/.430 at Midland last season, singled twice and finished the series with 8 hits in 4 games and a nifty on-base percentage of .500. Wei-Chung Wang was effective in relief, throwing 3 scoreless innings. The lefty allowed 2 hits, while striking out 3 without walking a batter. Wang replaced starter Tanner Anderson, who was tagged for 12 hits and 7 earned runs in 4 2/3 innings of work for Las Vegas.
The Aviators head home to kick off their first homestand of the season at the brand new Las Vegas Ballpark on Tuesday. They’ll be opposed by the Sacramento River Cats in the first three games before the Fresno Grizzlies come to town for the final four of the homestand.
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