Aces Rally in Middle Innings but Sacramento Snags Game One

RENO, Nev. – A solo home run from Pavin Smith in the fourth inning was the first of three straight run-scoring frames for the Reno Aces, but the Sacramento River Cats took control over the rest of the contest and took the series opener by a 12-3 final.

Smith’s blast was his fourth of the year for the Aces (23-28/55-71), leaving the yard on the second pitch in the bottom of the fourth. The rehabbing Lourdes Gurriel Jr. added the third RBI of his assignment via a sacrifice fly in the fifth, while a Santiago Espinal single to right brought home Reno’s final run.

Those three tallies paled in comparison to the offensive output of the River Cats (30-22/72-52), who scored with six of their nine sets of at-bats in the ballgame. Included in that production was a five-run fourth inning, helping Sacramento establish an 8-0 lead prior to Reno reaching the scoreboard.

Each of the first five Reno pitchers to take the mound allowed at least a run, but the loss was stuck with Bryce Jarvis (2-4) after he allowed three runs on four hits with two walks and strikeouts each over 1.1 frames.

It was an impressive night for Espinal, as his RBI single was one of his three hits that he collected in four trips to the plate. Tommy Troy joined Gurriel Jr. on rehab beginning today, logging a double in four at-bats.

With game one in the books having gone to the River Cats, the Aces will get back on the saddle in game two of the series with first pitch set for 6:35 p.m. PT from Greater Nevada Field.