Aces Produce Traffic on Bases but Fall Short Against Rainiers

TACOMA, Wash. – Manuel Pena’s RBI single helped the Reno Aces avoid a shutout, but that lone run was all Reno could manage in a 5-1 loss to the Tacoma Rainiers in game five of their series on Saturday.

For a second straight night the Aces (21-23/53-66) were held to a single tally, scoring once in the top of the sixth courtesy of a Manuel Pena single into right with one out. Scoring on the play for Reno was Demetrio Crisantes, who had kicked off the frame with a triple.

The Aces loaded the bases in that frame following Pena’s single thanks to a walk to A.J. Vukovich, but a strikeout and ground out brought an end to the frame.

Unfortunately, that tally was not enough to keep up with the three runs in the fifth and two in the sixth from the Rainiers (20-24/53-66). Of Tacoma’s 10 hits on the night, only three went for extra bases but that included a Connor Joe homer in the sixth.

Reno starter Jose Cabrera (1-2) worked his way through five innings but was ultimately saddled with the loss after allowing three runs (only two earned) on five hits with four strikeouts and one walk.

Beginning a rehab appearance with Reno was former longtime Ace Drey Jameson, who struck out the side while allowing one hit in the bottom of the eighth.

Reno was only able to score once in the game despite producing near double-digit hits, and three of the nine came from Kristian Robinson as he finished the night 3-for-5. Crisantes’ triple was Reno’s only extra-base hit, while Groover logged a pair of knocks in three trips with a walk.

Tonight’s loss secured the series win for Tacoma, but the Aces will have the chance to finish the series on a high note when they meet Tacoma in the set finale on Sunday at 1:35 p.m. PT.