 Aces Release
9/9/2014
The Omaha Storm Chasers scored three runs the first and second innings on their way to a 6-2 win over the Reno Aces in game one of the Pacific Coast League Championship Series at Aces Ballpark Tuesday night.
Reno starter Clayton Richard failed to make it out of the first inning, allowing four hits and a walk before being lifted by manager Phil Nevin with two outs in the frame. An RBI single by Brett Hayes and a two-run single by Cheslor Cuthbert put the Aces in an early 3-0 hole.
Reliever Bo Schultz came on for Richard and got the final out of the inning with a pair of runners on base. Omaha's offense continued in the second when Paulo Orlando singled to right-field, scoring Whit Merrifield to make it 4-0.
Schultz struck out Brett Eibner for the second out in the inning, but Orlando swiped second, and Blake Lalli's throw was mishandled by second baseman Garrett Weber. The ball trickled away from Weber far enough to allow Pedro Ciriaco to race home from third with another run.
Storm Chasers starter Aaron Brooks kept the Aces off the scoreboard for the first five innings. He didn't allow a hit until Danny Dorn started the fifth with an opposite field single to left. In the sixth, a two-out blast by Andy Marte got the Aces on the scoreboard and made it a 6-2 game.
Reno managed just one base runner the rest of the way. With two outs in the seventh, Blake Lalli singled to left-center but was thrown out at second trying to stretch it to a double.
Right-hander Kyle Zimmer worked a 1-2-3 eighth inning and Tim Collins did the same in the ninth. Brooks allowed two runs on four hits in seven innings and got the win, his second in the 2014 playoffs, and Richard was hit with the loss.
The Pacific Coast League Championship Series continues Tuesday night at Aces Ballpark. Right-hander Bradin Hagens (0-0, 6.23) starts for the Aces in game two against left-hander John Lamb (0-0, 6.75) for the Storm Chasers. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.Â
