MEMPHIS, Tenn.—Randy Ruiz drove in three runs and Josh Bell collected three hits Thursday night, as the Reno Aces won their seventh-straight game, a 6-4 decision over the Memphis Redbirds at AutoZone Park. With the game knotted at 4-4 in the eighth, Bell led-off the frame with a triple, and Ruiz followed with a sacrifice fly to right field—pushing across a run that would prove to be the game-winner.
Reno now has won a season-best seven-straight games and eight of the last 10. The Aces keep their perch atop the Pacific North Division standings and are in position for their third series sweep of the year on Friday.
Joe Paterson (1-0)—one-of-four Aces relievers on the night—earned the victory after tossing 1.2 scoreless frames. Jonathan Albaladejo dealt a spotless ninth to pick-up his fifth save of the season. Reno starter Chris Jakubauskas allowed just a run on four hits, but was removed with two outs in the fifth inning due to an apparent injury.
The loss fell to Memphis reliever Adam Reifer (1-2), who surrendered Ruiz's sacrifice fly in the eighth. Redbirds starter Shelby Miller took a no decision, allowing four runs—three earned—on eight hits over 6.0 innings of work.
At the dish for Reno, Bell registered his third-straight three-hit game, while Adam Eaton singled three times to stretch his hitting streak to 12 games. Ruiz picked-up his 32nd, 33rd and 34th RBIs of the season, and Taylor Harbin added a single and a double in an 11-hit Aces attack.
The Aces go for the series sweep on Friday night. RHP Barry Enright (4-1, 2.13 ERA) toes the slab for Reno, while Memphis will counter with LHP Nick Additon (0-3, 6.06 ERA). First pitch is set for 5:05 a.m. PT, and the action can be heard live on Fox Sports 630 AM or by visiting RenoAces.com.
