Las Vegas, Nev. - Christian Walker could only do so much on his first night in the Sin City. The reigning Pacific Coast League Most Valuable Player was responsible for all three of the Aces runs Thursday night, finishing 2-for-4 with a home run, double and three RBI. Taylor Clarke
Las Vegas, Nev. - Christian Walker could only do so much on his first night in the Sin City. The reigning Pacific Coast League Most Valuable Player was responsible for all three of the Aces runs Thursday night, finishing 2-for-4 with a home run, double and three RBI. Taylor Clarke go the start for Reno allowing three earned runs on seven hits in five innings of work. Juniel Querecuto chipped in offensively, finishing 3-for-4 to extend his hit streak to 10 games. During that 10-game span, Querecuto is 17-for-42 with six runs scored and an RBI. Randall Delgado, down on Major League Rehab Assignment, took the loss (1.2 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 4 K).
Both teams plated a run in the fourth inning tonight. Christian Walker launched a solo home run to give Reno their first advantage of the night. Johnny Monell did his part to tie things up in the bottom half with a three-base hit off the Aces right-hander to score Christian Colón. Both sides remained quiet in the fifth, but three consecutive base hits by the 51's plated two giving Las Vegas a 3-1 lead. Walker ended the Aces offensive output in the top of the seventh inning, driving in two on a sharp line drive into left field for a double. The 51's cashed in on an Ildemaro Vargas throwing error in the bottom of the seventh inning, scoring two and taking a two-run lead. Las Vegas closer Jacob Rhame finished it out with a perfect 1-2-3 inning and added two strikeouts. The loss brings the Aces to a record of 33-40 on the season with three games left to play down south. Reno will take on the 51's again tomorrow from Cashman Field at 7:05. Left-hander Anthony Vasquez is scheduled to get the start for the Aces.
Top Performers - Reno
• Christian Walker (2-for-4, HR, 2B, 3 RBI)
• Juniel Querecuto (3-for-4, 10-game hit streak)
• Kevin Cron (2-for-3)
Top Performers - Las Vegas
• Jeff McNeil (2-for-4, R, 2B)
• Zach Borenstein (1-for-2, 2B, 2 BB)
• P.J. Colon (6.2 IP, 8 H, 3 R, 3 ER)
Tomorrow's Matchup
Notes & Information
40 and Up: With a solo home run in the top of the 4th inning, Christian Walker became just the 4th player in Aces history to have 40 or more. Brandon Allen (55), Mike Jacobs (55) and Peter O'Brien (50) are the lone players with more. Walker hit 32 home runs during the regular season in 2017, most of any Aces player in history. He averages 4.3 home runs during his Aces career.
Ray Day 2.0: Robbie Ray's path back to the Major Leagues goes through the Biggest Little City and Greater Nevada Field. Ray, 26, is scheduled to start for the Aces on Monday, June 25 against the Salt Lake Bees. He was named to his first career All-Star game last season and was one of four players to represent the D-backs at the Midsummer Classic. He finished the 2017 season with a 15-5 record, 218 strikeouts and a 2.89 ERA over 162 innings in 28 starts. His 12.11 K/9 rate was the best in the National League and he held opponents to a .199 batting average. In his first rehab start with the Aces, on June 19, Ray recorded nine strikeouts in just 4.1 innings of work. His nine strikeouts are tied for the most by an Aces starter this season.
