RENO, Nev."Seth Etherton allowed just three runs over seven innings of work Tuesday night, but the Aces offense couldn't muster enough production as Reno dropped a 3-2 decision to the Colorado Springs Sky Sox in the series opener at Aces Ballpark.
The Aces jumped on the scoreboard early, using a Josh Whitesell triple to center to chase home Brandon Watson with the game's first run. In the fifth, Colorado Springs evened the count, thanks to a solo home run off the bat of Matt Miller that brought the score to one apiece.
But it would not take long for Reno to fire back. In the home half of the inning, the Aces tacked on a run to re-take the lead. Rusty Ryal led off the frame with a single, moved to second on a wild pitch, to third on a groundout and scampered home on a Josh Wilson sacrifice fly, pushing the score to 2-1.
In the sixth, though, Colorado Springs took its first lead, and the Sky Sox wouldn't let it slip away. Matt Murton smacked a two-run home run to right to give his team a 3-2 advantage. Reno couldn't push a run across over its final four at-bats and was handed the defeat in the series opener.
Etherton (1-1) kept his team in the game, but took the loss for Reno. Out of the bullpen, Tom Gordon worked two innings on a Major League rehab assignment. Gordon allowed three hits, but didn't surrender a run.
For Colorado Springs, the win went to starter Josh Fogg (1-0), who worked six innings, scattering two runs on four hits. Fogg walked one and punched out three. Three Sky Sox relievers combined to hold Reno scoreless over the final three frames, surrendering just one hit.
In a game where offense came at a premium, Josh Whitesell led the Aces attack with his first-inning triple and run driven in.
The series rolls along on Wednesday with a very special matinee game at Aces Ballpark. Southpaw Travis Blackley (0-0, 4.66 ERA) gets the nod for Reno, while the Sky Sox counter with RHP Jason Hirsh (1-1, 4.76 ERA). First pitch is set for 1:05 p.m. For tickets call (775) 334-4700 or visit the Aces Ballpark Ticket Office. For more information, visit RenoAces.com.
