Aces split series with Sacramento

The Reno Aces split their second-straight series this week, taking three of six from the Sacramento River Cats behind a strong offensive performance. With the three wins, Reno sits atop the Triple-A West West Division standings with a 19-11 record.

The Aces took the series opener against the River Cats, 10-7 on June 3. The offensive onslaught was led by several different members of the team, all contributing to the 10 runs. Daulton Varsho had four hits with two RBIs to help guide the Aces to the win. Seth Beer had three hits on the day, with two doubles and two RBIs. Matt Lipka smoked a two-run home run over the left field wall in the second inning to put the Aces on the board, tying the game up at 2-2. Josh VanMeter reached base four times in the game, with two hits and two walks.

The Aces took their second win of the series on Friday, 6-4. Reno scored all their runs in the first four innings of the game, with four of the six RBIs coming off Beer’s bat. Andrew Young and Henry Ramos each had solo home runs to further the Aces lead. Martin got the start on the mound for the Aces, allowing four runs in 5.2 innings, while striking out seven. Alex Powers, Noe Ramirez, and Junior Garcia combined for 3.1 relief shutout innings.

In the third game of the series, the Aces fell 10-6 to the River Cats. Young went 2-for-5 at the plate with a homerun in his second-straight game and a double. The Aces’ shortstop, Jancarlos Cintron, went 3-for-4. The three hits tied a single-game season-best for Cintron.

On June 6, the Aces fell 12-11 to the Sacramento River Cats despite their ninth inning effort of scoring three runs. Jamie Ritchie had his season high at the plate, going 4-for-4 with two RBIs. Entering the home half of the fourth inning, the Aces trailed 10-1, before putting up ten runs in the final six frames of the game to make the final score 12-11. Camden Duzenack had his first career inside-the-park home run in the sixth inning for the Aces, his fourth homer of the year, taking the team lead. Drew Ellis hit a two-run home run, which extended his hitting streak to five. Cameron Gann held the River Cats to just one hit in two innings of work, while striking out four. Gann hasn’t allowed a run in eight straight appearances over 12.2 innings pitched.

The Aces bounced back with a walkoff win on June 7, winning 7-6 on Matt Lipka’s walkoff single. Entering the ninth inning, the Aces trailed 6-4. A single to right by Drew Ellis would score Andrew Young, making it 6-5. After intentionally walking Jamie Ritchie to load the bases, Lipka smoked a liner into left to score two and give the Aces a third walkoff of the homestand.

In the series finale, the Aces fell 4-3 after a ninth inning score from Sacramento. Starter Zach Lee went five innings, allowing just one run while striking out five.