FRESNO, Calif.—Joe Martinez dealt a quality start, and Cody Ransom hit a two-run home run, but the Aces came up short Tuesday night, dropping a 4-2 decision to the Fresno Grizzlies in the series opener at Chukchansi Park.
Martinez exited after six frames with Reno trailing 1-0, and after Fresno tacked-on three insurance runs, Ransom put the Aces on the scoreboard for the first time with a two-run shot in the ninth. That was as close as Reno would get, though, falling for the fourth-straight time.
Martinez (0-1) was the tough-luck loser, allowing just a run on eight hits over six innings of work. Martinez struck out two and didn't walk a batter.
Fresno starter Eric Hacker (3-0) picked-up the victory, tossing seven scoreless frames with three strikeouts and no walks.
The Aces were limited to just four hits on the night, with singles for Randy Ruiz, Konrad Schmidt and Taylor Harbin supplementing Ransom's ninth-inning homer.
The Aces and Grizzlies now will match-up in a Tuesday matinee. LHP Zach Kroenke (1-1, 3.27 ERA) toes the slab for Reno, while RHP Andrew Kown (2-0, 1.59 ERA) gets the nod for Fresno. First pitch from Chukchansi Park is set for 12:05 p.m. PT, and all the action can be heard live on Fox Sports 630 AM or RenoAces.com.
