ACES BATS ECLIPSED IN 16-2 LOSS OVER FRESNO

RENO, Nev. - The Aces (72-57) were routed on an eighteen-hit night by the Fresno Grizzlies (71-58) by a score of 16-2 Monday night at Greater Nevada Field. Reno's offense totaled just four hits on the night with a seven-inning performance by Fresno's Cy Sneed (1-0), who collected six strikeouts in just his second Triple-A start. Oswaldo Arcia highlighted the night offensively with his 24th home run of the season. Aces southpaw Anthony Banda, in his first start back since being optioned by Arizona, did not have his stuff after allowing eight runs on six hits and four walks through a season-low two frames. With the loss, the Aces division lead decreases by one game with 13 regular season games remaining.

The Grizzlies made it a 4-0 ballgame on a shaky first frame by Banda when he allowed a single, double and four walks. With one out, after Colin Walsh walked, Tyler White knocked the first single of the contest. Preston Tucker followed with a double to right field, plating two. Two consecutive walks after loaded the bases while fourth walk and a wild pitch brought in a final two runs before the frame ended.
In the home half of the first, Reno responded and cut the lead to 4-2 with two outs when Arcia slugged a home run over the right field berm to plate two, including Ildemaro Vargas who led the inning off with an infield base hit.
After tacking on another run in the second, the Grizzlies kept their offensive rhythm intact when they extended their lead to 9-2 in the third inning. Following three consecutive hits, including a two-run home run by A.J. Reed, Banda made his exit and was relieved by newcomer Nick Baker. Following a first pitch line drive out, Baker would allow two runs scored on a mix of two singles, a walk and sacrifice fly ball. Fresno would score for a fourth consecutive inning when they manufactured a 10th run in the fourth on two hits.
In the sixth, Fresno widened their lead to 12-2 after a leadoff walk and two singles allowed by Baker. The right-hander would exit after allowing a third single in the frame to load the bases. With one out, another newcomer on the Aces staff, J.R. Bradley, entered in relief, making his Triple-A debut. Bradley retired the next two batters after a recording a strikeout and ground out.
Baker tossed a total of three and one-third innings in relief while allowing four runs on eight hits with three walks in his first Aces outing. In his Triple-A debut, Bradley finished after two and one-third innings while allowing just one hit with three walks and four strikeouts. Infielder Rudy Flores tossed the final four Fresno outs, but surrendered a final four runs to Fresno on White's home run and Reed's second round-trip making it a final 16-2 decision. In total, Reno arms allowed a season-high 11 walks.
Reno heads into the final game of the four-game set tomorrow against the Fresno Grizzlies, Triple-A affiliate of the Houston Astros, scheduled for 7:05 p.m. at Greater Nevada Field. Following tomorrow's game, the Aces hit the road for two four-game sets against Las Vegas and Albuquerque. The Aces return home to Greater Nevada Field for four final regular season home games labor weekend, September 1-4, against Albuquerque. Tickets are on sale now at renoaces.com. Follow the club all season long on Twitter (@Aces) or like the team on Facebook.