Aces Downed as Rally Falls Short in Fresno

Aces Release

6/2/2016

The Reno Aces dropped the third game of a four-game series to the Las Vegas 51s by a 9-8 score in 10 innings on Thursday night at Greater Nevada Field. The visitors rallied from a 7-3 deficit with six runs over the final two frames. Sócrates Brito (@SocratesBrito) and Kyle Jensen each had four hits to tie the club’s season high, but the bullpen could not hold the lead for starter Braden Shipley (@shipley25).

Reno jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the third as Mike Freeman (@mikebfree5) and Peter O’Brien sandwiched RBI singles around a run-scoring triple by Jack Reinheimer (@Reinheimer_08). Las Vegas tied the game at three in the sixth on three hits, including T.J. Rivera’s RBI double.   

The Aces answered the 51s’ three runs with two in the home half on Brito’s RBI triple and a sacrifice fly from Jensen. Reno extended its lead to 6-3 in the seventh on Reinheimer’s RBI single, and Carlos Rivero (@Carlos_Rivero3) scored Zach Borenstein with a base hit in the following frame.

Las Vegas mounted a comeback in the ninth, scoring five runs on three hits with the benefit of four walks (one intentional). With the Aces trailing 8-7 going to the bottom of the frame, Freeman led off the inning with his first home run of the season, a game-tying line drive to right field. Las Vegas’ Roger Bernadina then matched Freeman’s feat in the 10th, taking a 1-0 pitch from Steve Hathaway (@Mr_Hath) out to right for the game-winning run.

Reno set a season high with 17 hits, including three from Reinheimer and two from Freeman to supplement the four-hit nights from Brito and Jensen. The two middle infielders shared the team lead with two RBI apiece.

Shipley delivered his seventh quality start in 11 outings, taking a no-decision after he allowed three earned runs on eight hits over seven innings with one walk and one strikeout. He threw 98 pitches, 61 for strikes. Hathaway (0-1) was tagged with the loss as he allowed three earned runs on three hits (one home run) with two walks and one strikeout in 2/3 of an inning. Josh Smoker (2-1) was credited with the win, working the final two innings and giving up one earned run on three hits with three strikeouts.   

The Aces conclude their four-game set against Las Vegas on Friday at Greater Nevada Field. First pitch is slated for 7:05 p.m. PT. Reno will send left-hander Andrew Chafin (1-0, 0.00) to the bump, while lefty Sean Gilmartin (5-2, 3.92) will toe the rubber for Las Vegas.