Haniger, defense shine in Aces' win

LAS VEGAS - The Reno Aces won for the ninth time in 11 games, coming from behind to defeat the Las Vegas 51s by a 7-4 score at Cashman Field. Mitch Haniger (@M_Hanny19) continued his torrid hitting with two solo home runs, while the Reno defense turned the first triple play in franchise history to back four scoreless innings of one-hit ball by the bullpen. 

Las Vegas opened the scoring with an unearned run in the bottom of the first. Dilson Herrera led off the bottom of the inning with a single to left, scoring two batters later on a throwing error by Reno's Kyle Jensen (@TheKJensen42). The 51s extended their lead to 2-0 in the second, as Travis Taijeron drew a leadoff walk and then came home on Gavin Cecchini's RBI double.

The Aces (55-46) cut their deficit in half when Mark Thomas led off the third with his first Triple-A home run, a solo shot to left-center. Las Vegas (51-49) got the run back in the home half with an RBI double from Kevin Plawecki to score Brandon Nimmo, who had hit a one-out single.

Reno trimmed the score to 3-2 in the fifth. Ildemaro Vargas (@ildemaro_tigre) legged out a one-out bunt single down the third-base line, advancing to second on a wild pitch before coming home on Jensen's RBI base hit. Just as they had in the third, the 51s answered the Aces' run with one of their own on a solo home run by Nimmo.

The Aces played long-ball in the seventh to tie the game at four. With one out, Haniger took a 1-2 pitch from Beck Wheeler out to center field for his second home run of the game. Two batters later, Peter O'Brien launched a solo shot to left to even the score. Reno made history in the home half, turning a triple play for the first time in team annals. Carlos Rivero (@Carlos_Rivero3) stabbed a line drive off the bat of Plawecki and threw around the horn to Vargas and Jensen to retire Nimmo and Herrera, who were running with the pitch.  

The visitors' momentum continued as they took a 5-4 lead in the eighth. Rivero singled to right to lead off the inning, advancing to second on Thomas' sacrifice bunt before racing around to score on Vargas' two-out base hit to left.

In the ninth, Haniger provided insurance with a home run to left to lead off the inning, marking his second consecutive multi-homer effort and his 18th home run in 42 games with Reno since his June 10 promotion from Mobile. The Aces loaded the bases after the home run on a Jensen walk and singles from O'Brien and Gabby Guerrero. Jensen then came home to make it 7-4 on a fielder's choice off the bat of Rivero, with Las Vegas trading a run for two outs to complete the scoring.

Haniger's two dingers tonight give him nine in 11 games against Las Vegas this year, representing half of his Triple-A home runs. Thomas' homer was part of a 2-for-3 night that extended his season-best hitting streak to four games since July 15, and Guerrero, O'Brien and Vargas also recorded a pair of hits.

Making his second start for the Aces since being optioned from Arizona on July 14, Shelby Miller (@ShelbyMiller19) took a no-decision after pitching five innings and allowing four runs (three earned) on nine hits (one home run) over five innings with one walk and six strikeouts. Matt Capps (@MattCapps55) got help from his defense with triple- and double plays to earn the win after he gave up one hit and two walks with a strikeout in two scoreless frames. Evan Marshall (@emarsh31) recorded a strikeout during a perfect eighth, and Jimmie Sherfy allowed just a walk in the ninth to earn his third save.

The Aces and 51s conclude their four-game series on Monday. First pitch from Cashman Field is set for 7:05 p.m. PT. Reno will send left-hander Edwin Escobar (5-2, 5.17) to the mound, while righty Ricky Knapp (0-0, -.--) will pitch for Las Vegas in his Triple-A debut.

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