Aviators top 5: Team continues to pack in fans

1. Turnstiles singing: After 18 games, the Aviators lead Triple-A baseball with attendance of 122,429 — an average of 6,801. That’s basically just a Bobblehead Night short of what the parent A’s are averaging in Oakland — 7,715 after 13 home dates — as negotiations to build a new ballpark in the other city by the bay — or one in Las Vegas — continue.

2. Shea it again: Is catcher Shea Langeliers as good as advertised or what? The A’s second-ranked minor league prospect went into the weekend leading the Aviators in batting average (.330), runs (21), home runs (10) and RBIs (23). All three highlight videos on the Aviators website home page are of Langeliers hitting doubles or home runs.

3. Pitching in: But it might be time to finally cue a clip of one of Langeliers’ battery mates. Before being blanked 4-0 Friday at Sacramento, the Aviators posted a shutout of their own. They beat the River Cats 5-0 Wednesday behind right-hander Parker Dunshee, who allowed one hit in six innings.

4. Shirts on their back: Although the Aviators have more official colors than a kaleidoscope — navy blue, gray, yellow, orange, gold — a well-placed source said the team will be switching the hue of its predominant home jersey to predominantly orange next season. Although the actual color swatch is said to be closer to tangerine than orange.

5. Coming up: The Aviators return home Tuesday to begin a six-game series against the Salt Lake Bees, the top farm club of the Los Angeles Angels. Promotions are Copa de la Diversion (aka Hispanic/Latino culture night, Tuesday), Bark in the Park (dogs allowed on the right-field berm, Wednesday), $2 Beer Night (self-explanatory, Thursday), Fireworks Night (also self-explanatory, Friday), Aviators T-Shirt Night (you get the idea, Saturday).

Contact Ron Kantowski at rkantowski@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0352. Follow @ronkantowski on Twitter.