Aces Win the Silver State Diamond Challenge, Take Four Against Aviators

Reno ended its final August homestand by winning its seventh Silver State Diamond Challenge presented by Nevada Donor Network with a series victory against the Las Vegas Aviators, Triple-A affiliate of the Oakland Athletics. With four wins at Greater Nevada Field last week, the Aces currently sport a 72-57 record and maintain a nine-game advantage in the Pacific Coast League West division.

Through four meetings this season, the Aces won three-straight series versus the Aviators and own a 17-7 record against their inter-state rivals. This season, Reno has won 12 of its last 14 contests against Las Vegas.

Ryne Nelson’s stellar start was the driving force behind Reno’s 5-1 win over Las Vegas Tuesday night. The right-hander dealt seven innings of one-run (unearned) ball on five hits, one walk and five strikeouts to earn his tenth win. Trailing 1-0 in the fifth, the Aces grabbed a 2-1 lead with a two-run double from Dominic Canzone. Reno’s bats continued to pad the lead in the sixth with a three-run inning highlighted by an RBI double from Seth Beer to cement the 5-1 victory.

The Aces rode Tuesday’s momentum in Wednesday night’s contest and earned a 4-1 victory against the Aviators. Reno’s offense ignited early with a four-run first highlighted by a two-run shot from Jordan Luplow for a 4-0 lead. Edwin Uceta earned his sixth win of the season with two scoreless innings, allowed no hits, two walks and fanned four batters.

In an action-packed battle between the two squads Saturday night, Reno emerged victorious late with a walk-off two-run homer from Jake Hager for an 8-7 win. Luplow led the Aces’ offensive attack with a trio of homers beginning with a solo shot in the first, a two-run homer in the second and a solo homer to left in the fourth frame. The win was awarded to J.B. Wendelken after the right-hander tossed a scoreless ninth, allowed no hits, no walks and fanned two batters.

In the series finale, the Aces and Aviators engaged in a back-and-forth battle, but Reno prevailed late with a 13-12 win. Trailing 12-10 in the eighth, the Aces drummed up a three-run inning capped off by a two-run double from Jordan Luplow to give Reno a 13-12 advantage. The win was awarded to Jeff Bain (W, 1-1) after the right-hander tossed a shutout eighth, allowing no hits and no walks.

ACES HIGH

Jordan Luplow: Batted .318 (7-for-22) in five games with four homers, nine RBI and seven runs scored.

Seth Beer: Started all six games and hit .375 (9-for-24) with three RBI, five doubles and four runs scored.

Jancarlos Cintron: Hit .450 (9-for-20) with five runs scored and four doubles in five games.

Ryne Nelson: (W, 10-5) 7.0 IP, 1 R (unearned), five hits, 1 BB, 5 K’s in one start.

Mitchell Stumpo: (S, 6) 3.0 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 3 BB, 3 K’s in three relief appearances. He has not allowed an earned run since July 27.