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Bats Lead Bounce Back in Reno

Wates and Petit pilot another big night at the plate
June 20, 2014

Reno, Nev. - One night after a tough loss in the late innings, the Oklahoma City RedHawks showcased a short memory and a potent offense, defeating the Reno Aces 9-4 Thursday night at Aces Ballpark.

The RedHawks (41-34) kept their hot-hitting offense churning, piling up 15 more hits Thursday night. It's the 10th time in the past 13 games they've notched at least 11 hits. Six players finished with multiple hits, led by Gregorio Petit and Austin Wates, who collected three each.

The hits tied Wates' season high, while he set a new season high with three RBI. Petit drove in one run and extended his hitting streak to 12 games, tying the longest by a RedHawk this season.

The RedHawks continued to be phenomenal with runners in scoring position, going 8-for-13. Although Reno would finish with 13 hits, the Aces were just 1-for-11 with runners in scoring position.

The RedHawks were able to strike quickly in the first. Kiké Hernandez doubled with one out, and two batters later, Domingo Santana singled him home to make it 1-0.

In the second inning, the RedHawks had none on and two out before stringing three straight hits together. The final one was a RBI single by Wates to push the Oklahoma City lead to two runs.

The RedHawks put four more runs on the board on four hits in the fourth to take a 6-0 lead. Max Stassi, Wates, and Marc Krauss each drove in runs.

The Aces (41-33) were able to rally after having bases empty and two outs in the bottom of the inning. Nick Ahmed plated a pair of runs with a double, pulling Reno within 6-2.

Both teams scored in the sixth. With a runner at second and two outs, Krauss fought off a tough pitch from lefty specialist Joe Paterson and blooped it into shallow center field to score Hernandez.

Reno answered in the bottom of the inning. Danny Dorn led off with a triple, and Aaron Cunningham followed with a sac fly.

The RedHawks were able to score twice more with two outs in the seventh inning. Petit smashed a RBI triple to right-center field, and Wates followed with a RBI single to match the team's largest lead of the night.

Alfredo Marte led off the bottom of the inning with a home run that just nicked the base of the right field foul pole, cutting the Redhawks' lead to 9-4.

Unlike Wednesday, there would be no late-inning drama. Jason Stoffel and Kevin Chapman held the Aces scoreless over the final two innings to seal the victory.

Although he allowed seven hits over five innings, Bobby Doran was able to make big pitches when he needed to and limited the Aces to two runs. Doran (2-4) earned his second win of the season and finished with three walks and one strikeout.

Reno starting pitcher Bo Schultz was pegged with the loss. Schultz (4-5) allowed seven runs (four earned) and tied a season high with 11 hits. He struck out one and walked two.  

The RedHawks finish their series with Aces with a chance to take three of four in Reno at 9:05 p.m. central time Friday night. Live coverage begins at 8:35 p.m. on AM 1340 "The Game," 1340thegame.com, or through the free iHeartRadio mobile app.