SUBMITTED NEWS RELEASE
LAS VEGAS, Nev.-Cole Gillespie fell just a home run shy of the cycle Friday night, helping lift the Reno Aces to their fifth-straight win, a 10-5 decision over the Las Vegas 51s at Cashman Field.
Gillespie singled in the third and fifth innings, doubled in the seventh and tripled in the eighth to complete a four-hit evening for an Aces club that led early and never trailed in a 16-hit effort. Reno posted three runs in the third and tacked on one more in the fifth. Leading by just a run through six innings, the Aces pushed across four in the seventh and two more in the eighth to cruise to the five-run victory.
The five-game winning streak matches a season-high for the Aces.
Aces starter Cesar Valdez (5-9) scattered three runs on seven hits over five innings of work. Valdez walked three and punched-out three. Jason Urquidez and Leyson Septimo worked a scoreless inning apiece before Kasey Olenberger came on to close out the final two frames.
The loss fell to 51s spot starter Sean Henn (3-4), who allowed three earned runs in 2.2 innings of work.
Four Aces recorded a multi-hit effort on Friday, including Yunesky Sanchez who finished with three hits and three RBIs. The Aces batted .500 (9×18) with runners in scoring position on the night.
The Aces and 51s will lock horns again on Saturday night at Cashman Field to resume the vaunted Silver State Diamond Challenge. Kevin Mulvey (7-8, 4.48 ERA) gets the nod for Reno. RHP Lance Broadway (3-11, 7.78 ERA) counters for Las Vegas. First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. PT.
The Aces return home for the final homestand of the 2010 season on Monday, Aug. 30 as the club celebrates Fan Appreciation Week at Aces Ballpark. Tickets are available by calling the Reno Aces box office at (775) 334-7000 or by visiting RenoAces.com<http://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.
