RENO, Nev. - Ronnie Freeman ended Saturday night's eleven-inning bout with a hard single to centerfield to walk off the Aces for the fourth time in 2017 with a final score of seven to six over the Sacramento River Cats. The River Cats, who faced a five-run deficit entering the eighth
RENO, Nev. - Ronnie Freeman ended Saturday night's eleven-inning bout with a hard single to centerfield to walk off the Aces for the fourth time in 2017 with a final score of seven to six over the Sacramento River Cats. <o:p>
The River Cats, who faced a five-run deficit entering the eighth inning, found some magic after Aces starter Aaron Laffey completed his seven-inning gem of five-hit shutout ball. With right-hander Kaleb Fleck in relief for Laffey, Sacramento came storming back with two home runs to cut the Aces lead to two. <o:p>
With just three outs to go from a game one victory and closer Jimmie Sherfy pitching, the River Cats continued the momentum and took a one-run lead after a leadoff pinch-hit double and back-to-back home runs.<o:p>
<o:p> For the Aces ninth, being down for the first time in the contest, Ildemaro Vargas reached safely on a one-out fielding error and was followed by a comebacker ground ball single to the pitcher by Ketel Marte. After intentionally walking Christian Walker when a passed ball sent both runners into scoring position, Jeremy Hazelbaker flew a sacrifice fly ball to right field to score Vargas. On the tag from second, Marte drew a throw from right field, which went wide and off the netting of the Aces dugout. Marte broke for home to attempt a walk off but was relayed out on a quick throw to the plate to keep the game tied at six to six. <o:p>
The game laid quiet until the fateful eleventh inning. After Carlos Rivero and Vargas quickly restarted an offensive rally with no outs, Marte and Walker halted the momentum after each retiring on fly outs. With two outs and the winning run 180 feet away, Freeman, in his first at-bat of the game, sent a 0-2 pitch hard on the ground up the middle to walk off the Aces in game one. <o:p>
Matt Stites, who tossed a scoreless eleventh, earned his first Aces victory of the season. Sócrates Brito finished with a 4-for-4 night with a home run away from the cycle. Walker went 2-for-4 on the night with his 14th home run and collected 52nd RBI, which leads all of the professional baseball in the RBI category. <o:p>
Reno continues the series tomorrow with game two against the Sacramento River Cats over Memorial Day weekend. First pitch is set for 6:05 p.m. Season memberships 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. <o:p>
