Aces drop series finale in El Paso, 10-4

EL PASO, TEXAS. - Backed by a six-run second inning and a four-run fifth, the El Paso Chihuahuas cruised to an easy 10-4 win, handing the Reno Aces their second consecutive defeat Thursday night at Southwest University Park.

For the second straight game, the Aces' (@Aces) starting pitcher failed to get through five innings. Following Robbie Ray's 2 2/3 inning performance yesterday in Reno's 4-2 loss, Justin Marks (1-1) got through just 4 1/3 innings. He worked 1-2-3 innings in the first, third and fourth, but it was the big second inning which doomed the left-hander.

Singles by Tommy Medica and Brett Wallace opened the frame for Austin Hedges who drove in El Paso's first run with a double to left. Jake Goebbert then singled to right, driving in Wallace and Hedges for a 3-0 Chihuahuas lead. And the outburst didn't end there.

Mike McCoy reached on an infield single back to Marks before Abraham Almonte knocked in two more runs with a double to center. The speedy center fielder immediately swiped third base and raced home on the throw by Reno catcher Matt Pagnozzi, which sailed into left field.

Trailing 6-0 after just two innings, the Aces battled and eventually cut the deficit to three. Evan Marzilli (@marzooch) began the third inning with a lead-off double, and Jamie Romak followed with a walk. After Robbie Erlin (1-1) struck out both Garrett Weber (@_weber5) and Nick Evans swinging, Peter O'Brien drilled his first of two doubles - and three hits - to the track in center, pulling Reno within four.

The Aces tallied another run in the fifth, thanks to O'Brien again. The Reno right-fielder lined a two-out RBI single to left, scoring Weber who had reached prior on a double of his own.

Within breathing distance, El Paso took the air out of Reno's lungs with another big half-inning.

Marks, who settled in by retiring nine straight, walked Ramiro Pena with one out in the fifth to snap the streak. Rymer Liriano then executed a hit-and-run to perfection, grounding a single where Romak was originally positioned at second base. Marks exited and gave way to right-hander Julio DePaula who didn't fare much better.

The Chihuahuas recorded three consecutive two-out RBI singles by Hedges, Goebbert and McCoy, extending their lead to seven, 10-3.

Like Marks, DePaula eventually settled in, but it was too little, too late. He and left-hander Matt Reynolds faced the minimum over the final three innings, but Reno's offense was only able to scratch one more run across in the top of the eighth. O'Brien opened that inning with his fourth double of the season and later scored on a wild pitch.

Reno finished their eight-game road trip at .500, and they now return to host the Albuquerque Isotopes (5-3) for their home opener Friday, April 17 at Aces Ballpark. Right-hander Allen Webster (0-0, 18.00) gets the ball for the Aces against right-hander Chad Bettis (0-1, 9.64) of the 'Topes. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 PST with gates opening at 5:00 p.m. Pre-game ceremonies began at 6:00 with Hall of Famer Randy Johnson set to throw a ceremonial first pitch.

Ticket packages are on-sale now at www.RenoAces.com or by calling (775) 334-4700. For up-to-date news and notes throughout the season, follow the club on Twitter (@aces) or like the team on Facebook.