Late Push From Sugar Land Comes Up Short Despite Strong Bullpen Outing

Strahm Shines With Pair of Game-Tying Hits

By Raymond Brown/Sugar Land Space Cowboys

May 2, 2026

The Sugar Land Space Cowboys (16-15) fell to the Reno Aces (16-15) on a walk off, 4-3, in game four of the six-game series on Friday night at Greater Nevada Field. Reno struck first in the second inning on a solo home run, but Sugar Land answered in the third

The Sugar Land Space Cowboys (16-15) fell to the Reno Aces (16-15) on a walk off, 4-3, in game four of the six-game series on Friday night at Greater Nevada Field.

Reno struck first in the second inning on a solo home run, but Sugar Land answered in the third as Kellen Strahm led off the frame with a home run to left-center field, tying the game at 1-1.

The Space Cowboys grabbed the lead in the sixth after Jax Biggers singled and advanced to third on a James Nelson base hit. Following an intentional walk to Jack Winkler, Collin Price drove in Biggers with a ground ball to give Sugar Land a 2-1 advantage.

Reno responded in the bottom half of the seventh, capitalizing on a hit-by-pitch, an error, and a wild pitch before a two-run double put the Aces back in front, 3-2.

Sugar Land rallied in the ninth as Riley Unroe singled and moved into scoring position before Strahm delivered again, ripping his first triple of the season to tie the game at 3-3.

STRAHM TRIPLE TO TIE THE GAME! #ASCEND pic.twitter.com/pUhXXw8oz7
— Sugar Land Space Cowboys (@SLSpaceCowboys) May 2, 2026

Sugar Land kept the game within reach thanks to strong outings from relievers RHP Amos Willingham and LHP Tom Cosgrove, who each tossed two scoreless innings, combining to allow just one hit while striking out five.

The Aces had the final say, using a leadoff double in the ninth to set up a walk-off single, handing the Space Cowboys their third straight loss in Reno.

NOTABLE:

Kellen Strahm went 2-for-4 with a home run and a triple, extending his hitting streak to five games. Over that span, Strahm is 6-for-15 (.400) with a double, a triple, two home runs, five RBI and four walks.
Riley Unroe turned in a 2-for-4 performance, pushing his hitting streak to five games. During that stretch, Unroe is 5-for-16 with a double, a home run, and two RBI.
James Nelson finished 1-for-4, extending his hitting streak to 10 games, the third-longest active streak in the Pacific Coast League. Over his last 10 games, Nelson is 15-for-44 with three home runs, four doubles, and four RBI.

Sugar Land looks to bounce back against the Reno Aces tomorrow. LHP Josh Hendrickson is set to throw for the Space Cowboys against LHP Kohl Drake for a 6:05 pm first pitch on Saturday night. The game can be heard online anywhere at SLSpaceCowboys.com/Listen.

ABOUT THE SUGAR LAND SPACE COWBOYS:

The Sugar Land Space Cowboys are the Triple-A affiliate of the Houston Astros and compete in the Pacific Coast League. They began play as the Astros’ Triple-A affiliate in 2021 and began playing under the Space Cowboys brand in 2022, winning their first Triple-A title in 2024 by clinching both the Pacific Coast League Championship and Triple-A National Championship. The Space Cowboys play at Constellation Field, located at the corner of Hwy-6 and US-90 Alternate in Sugar Land, Texas. Follow the team on Twitter (@SLSpaceCowboys), Instagram (@slspacecowboys), Facebook (SLSpaceCowboys) and their official website (slspacecowboys.com). Season ticket plans for the 2026 season are available now and can be purchased at slspacecowboys.com/tickets.