SUBMITTED NEWS RELEASE
WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif.—Reno took a one-run lead into the eighth inning Thursday night, but a three-run Sacramento frame lifted the River Cats to an 8-6 victory and a series sweep over the Aces at Raley Field.
The game was tied at 5-5 until the top of the sixth inning when Aces centerfielder Cole Gillespie hit a two-out double that chased home the go-ahead run. Reno would hold on to that 6-5 lead until the home half of the eighth, when Sacramento touched-up Aces relievers Saul Rivera and Luis Ayala for three runs on four hits.
The Aces brought the go-ahead run to the plate in the ninth inning, yet Pedro Ciriaco fell just short of a go-ahead home run, flying out to the warning track in left to end the game.
Reno starter Bryan Augenstein took a no decision, allowing five runs—three earned—on four hits with six walks and five strikeouts. The loss fell to Ayala (1-6), who surrendered Sacramento’s final two runs of the evening.
The win went to Sacramento’s Jon Hunton (4-1), who entered the game with two outs in the eighth and went on to keep Reno silent in the ninth.
Brandon Allen led a 12-hit effort for the Aces on Thursday with three hits, a run scored and an RBI. Gillespie, John Hester, Ciriaco and Chris Rahl all collected two hits on the evening for the Aces.
Reno now is set to kick-off a four-game series with the division-leading Grizzlies at Chukchansi Park in Fresno. In the opener, RHP Kevin Mulvey (1-5, 5.16 ERA) gets the nod for Reno, while the Grizzlies will counter with RHP Eric Hacker (8-3, 3.91 ERA). First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. PT, and the action can be heard live on Fox Sports Radio 1450 AM or online at www.RenoAces.com.
The Aces return home on June 22 for a four-game set with the Colorado Springs Sky Sox. Tickets for all Aces games start at just $7, and are available by calling the Reno Aces box office at (775) 334-7000 or by visiting RenoAces.com. The brand-new Freight House District, located just outside Aces Ballpark, is open seven days a week, on both game days and non-game days.
