Reno was held to just four hits on Saturday night—two off the bat of Major League rehabber Geoff Blum—as the Aces dropped a 7-2 decision to the Las Vegas 51s in the series opener at Aces Ballpark.
Las Vegas put a run on the board in the first to take a quick 1-0 lead, but Reno would answer in the third. Cole Gillespie singled, then came around to score on a three-base throwing error by 51s catcher Yan Gomes on a pick-off attempt. That knotted the game at 1-1, but Las Vegas pushed across four runs in the fourth to take a lead it would not relinquish.
Aces starter Joe Martinez (7-5) took the loss, allowing five runs on 10 hits over seven innings of work. After his exit, Sam Demel worked a scoreless eighth, before Joe Patterson allowed two runs in the ninth.
The win went to Las Vegas starter Andrew Carpenter (6-3), who held the Aces to just an unearned run and two hits over five frames. From there, four 51s relievers combined allow just one run over the game's final four innings.
Jake Elmore collected Reno's lone RBI of the night, his 56th of the season.
The series continues Sunday afternoon from Aces Ballpark. LHP Tyler Skaggs—Arizona's No. 3 prospect—makes his Triple-A debut for Reno. The 51s will counter with RHP Joel Carreno (2-2, 7.50 ERA). First pitch is set for 1:05 p.m. PT, and it'll be another Renown Children's Hospital Family Funday.
Aces Media Release6/30
