SUBMITTED NEWS RELEASE
PORTLAND, Ore.—Chris Rahl hit a game-tying solo home run in the top of the ninth inning for Reno, but Portland answered with a walk-off single in the home half of the ninth to pick-up a 4-3 victory Monday afternoon at PGE Park.
Reno went to the ninth trailing 3-2, before Rahl led-off the frame with a pinch-hit homer over the wall in left-center, tying the score at 3-3. The Aces would put the go-ahead run on third base in the inning, but a pair of unsuccessful suicide squeeze attempts pushed the game to the bottom of the ninth tied at three.
In the bottom of the final inning, Aces reliever T.J. Beam allowed a walk, sacrifice bunt and a single to put runners on the corners with one away. Sean Kazmar would then end the proceedings, singling home the game-winning run with a line drive off the wall in left-center.
Beam (0-1) took the loss for Reno, allowing the game-winner in the ninth. Aces starter Josh Collmenter worked 5.2 innings, allowing three runs on three hits with three walks and five strikeouts.
The win went to Portland’s Ernesto Frieri (2-1), who allowed Rahl’s game-tying homer but was the pitcher of record when Kazmar ended the game in the bottom of the ninth.
The Aces now return home to kick-off an eight-game homestand at Aces Ballpark. On Tuesday, Reno plays host to the Omaha Royals at 6:05 p.m. Tuesday’s game will be highlighted by 50-cent Hot Dog Night at Aces Ballpark. For the series opener, Reno will turn to RHP Bryan Augenstein (1-4, 6.23 ERA). The O-Royals will counter with RHP Luis Mendoza (0-1, 3.60 ERA).
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 gamedays and non-gamedays.
