Aces Silence Las Vegas Bats in 5-1 Win
Bryan Augenstein (6-8) tossed the first five frames for the Aces, holding the 51s to just one hit and no runs at a notoriously hitter-friendly ballpark. Wes Roemer relieved Augenstein, allowing just a solo home run in his first appearance since being activated off the disabled list, and Rafael Rodriguez tossed the final 1.1 innings to pick up his 11th save of the season.
Cole Gillespie drove in a first-inning run with a groundout, then extended the Aces' lead to 2-0 with a solo home run in the fourth. An eighth-inning, two-run single by Doug Deeds gave Reno two insurance runs, as it inched closer to an outright Silver State Diamond Challenge title with its eighth win against Las Vegas. With four games remaining against the 51s, Reno needs just one more victory to secure the SSDC crown.
Shawn Hill (1-2) took the loss for Las Vegas, throwing just one inning and allowing one earned run.
Tony Abreu and Mark Hallberg finished with two hits apiece for the Aces. Gillespie's fourth-inning homer was his eighth of the season and second in as many nights, while Drew Macias scored twice for Reno.
Reno and Las Vegas square off again Thursday night, with LHP Zach Kroenke (6-3, 3.69 ERA) set to face 51s RHP Robert Ray (6-6, 5.17 ERA). First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. from Cashman Field, and all the action can be heard live in Reno on 1450 AM, or online at RenoAces.com.
The Aces return home Monday evening for a four-game series against Portland. The four-game set is Fan Appreciation Week at Aces Ballpark, with numerous specials and giveaways throughout the week.
Tickets for all Aces games start at just $7, and are available by calling the Reno Aces box office at (775) 334-7000 or by visiting RenoAces.com. The brand-new Freight House District, located just outside Aces Ballpark, is open seven days a week, on both game days and non-game days.