Space Cowboys Fall Short Despite Verlander's Rehab Start and Late Rally

Written by: B. Keith Crear III, SFL Staff

In a game buzzing with excitement for Justin Verlander's first rehab start, the Sugar Land Space Cowboys (5-4) fell short against the Las Vegas Aviators (2-6) with a final score of 10-6. The crowd at Constellation Field was nearly sold out to witness Verlander's return from a right shoulder injury.

Verlander pitched three innings, striking out six but surrendering seven hits and six earned runs. The Aviators capitalized on a string of multi-base hits in the second and third innings to take the lead.

The Space Cowboys fought back in the fifth. With the bases loaded, Shay Whitcomb doubled to left field, plating two runs. Newcomer Cooper Hummel drove in another, followed by César Salazar's RBI single that brought the score to 7-5.

Taking the mound in relief for the sixth inning, Forrest Whitley gave up a solo homer to Las Vegas' Max Muncy but managed to escape further damage. Jesús Bastidas then brought Sugar Land within two runs with a double that scored Pedro León.

However, the Aviators added two more in the ninth thanks to a bases-loaded single by Brett Harris. The Space Cowboys were unable to overcome the deficit, dropping the series finale.