OMAHA, Neb.- Billy Buckner tossed seven scoreless innings Monday night, as the Reno Aces fired their second-straight shutout in a 5-0 victory over the Omaha Royals at Rosenblatt Stadium.
One night after the Aces held the O-Royals to no runs and just one hit, Buckner (7-3) dominated the Omaha lineup through seven frames. Buckner struck out 10 batters and scattered just four hits in the winning effort. Out of the Aces bullpen, Scott Maine worked a scoreless eighth and Scott Dohmann dealt a 1-2-3 ninth.
The loss fell to Omaha starter Dusty Hughes (1-3), who surrendered three runs on six hits over six innings of work.
The game was deadlocked in a scoreless tie through five innings, but Reno finally broke through in the sixth. A run-scoring groundout by Chris Roberson chased across the Aces' first run, then Brandon Allen unloaded for a two-run home run to right field, pushing the lead to 3-0.
The Aces would add two insurance runs in the ninth on a two-run homer by Ruben Gotay.
The series continues on Tuesday night from Rosenblatt Stadium. RHP Tony Barnette (10-7, 6.25 ERA) gets the nod for Reno, while Omaha will counter with LHP Heath Phillips (6-7, 5.47 ERA). First pitch is set for 5:05 p.m. PT and the action can be heard live on Fox Sports Radio 1450 AM.
The Aces return home Friday, August 14, for an eight-game homestand. For tickets, stop by the Aces Ballpark Box Office, call (775) 334-7000 or visit www.RenoAces.com.
