Isotopes Hand Aces Loss

RENO, Nev. - Henry Sosa allowed one run in six innings, and Joc Pederson homered for the second time in the last three games, leading the Albuquerque Isotopes to a 4-2 victory over the Reno Aces on Monday night.

Sosa -- making his first start on American soil since May 6, 2012 -- allowed three hits and one walk, while striking out four. Sosa retired nine in a row at one point. The only run he allowed came in the sixth inning on a Didi Gregorius triple and Cody Ross groundout.

Clint Robinson singled home two runs in the first inning and finished with three hits in five at-bats.

After the Topes lead was trimmed to 3-1 in the sixth, Pederson answered with a line drive home run to right field for a 4-1 lead. Pederson also singled, walked twice and scored three runs. Since going hitless in the first five at-bats of 2014, Pederson has reached base safely in nine of 12 plate appearances.

Reliever Justin Souza pitched two scoreless innings, striking out three.

Sam Demel recorded his second save in as many chances in the ninth. Reno made it interesting when Roger Kieschnick doubled home a run to make it 4-2, but second baseman Walter Ibarra made a nifty over-the-shoulder catch in shallow right field for the final out.

Notes:

•       Game two of the four-game series is Tuesday against Reno. RHP Red Patterson will start for the Isotopes. RHP Alex Sanabia gets the ball for the Aces. First pitch is at 2:05 pm MT. The pre-game show starts at 1:45 pm with Josh Suchon on the call.
•       Jamie Romak went 2-for-5, extending his hitting streak to 11 games (seven to end last year and four this year).
•       Ross is making a rehab assignment for the Diamondbacks. He robbed Nick Buss of an RBI double in the second inning with an over-the-shoulder basket catch on the warning track. Ross went 1-for-3 at the plate.