Las Vegas tops Reno in back-and-forth game

LAS VEGAS - The Las Vegas 51s outlasted the Reno Aces (@Aces) to score a series-opening 11-6 win Thursday night at Cashman Field. The back-and-forth affair slipped away from the Aces when the 51s plated six runs in the bottom of the eighth inning to grab a lead they wouldn't relinquish.

Reno scored four runs in the top of the third to erase an early 1-0 deficit. Garrett Weber (@_weber5) got the Aces on the scoreboard with a solo homer off starter Steven Matz to even the game at 1-1. A fielder's choice by Peter O'Brien gave the Aces a 2-1 lead, and RBI singles from Todd Glaesmann (@toddglaesmann22) and Cody Ransom (@ransom_cody) padded the lead to 4-1.

The lead didn't last as Las Vegas bounced back with a run in the fourth, two in the fifth and another in the sixth to regain the lead at 5-4. The damage in the sixth could have been much worse if not for reliever Seth Simmons (@SizzleSimmons95). He came in for Evan Marshall (@emarsh31) with the bases loaded and one out and promptly retired Brooks Conrad and Alex Castellanos to end the inning.

The Aces rallied to take the lead in the top of the eighth. Jamie Romak started the inning with a double to left. Glaesmann was hit by a pitch and Ransom knocked a single to right-field to load the bases with nobody out.

Las Vegas reliever Chase Bradford struck out Danny Dorn for the first out in the inning, but Nick Buss (@chilibuss) came through in a pinch for the Aces. Batting for catcher Matt Pagnozzi, Buss drilled an opposite-field two-run double to give Reno a 6-5 lead.

Once again, the lead didn't last for the Aces. Reliever Kevin Munson (@GOTMUNEY) was summoned from the bullpen and struggled immediately. He issued five walks before being relieved by Tim Crabble. When it was all said and done, Las Vegas scored six runs in the inning on just three hits. They took an 11-6 lead to the ninth for John Church to close out.

Ransom was 3-for-5 with an RBI in the loss, and Romak was 2-for-4 with two runs scored and a pair of doubles.

Game two of the four-game series is set for Friday night. Right-hander Gabriel Arias (2-1, 6.33) starts for the Aces against right-hander Tyler Pill (2-3, 6.41) for the 51s. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.

The Aces return home for a three-game series against the Tacoma Rainiers on Monday, June 15. Ticket packages 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.