Billy Buckner turned in yet another stellar outing for Reno Sunday night, tossing eight innings and adding two hits at the plate to lift the Aces to a 5-2 victory over the Round Rock Express at Aces Ballpark.
Buckner (8-3) delivered his seventh-straight quality start, scattering just two runs on nine hits with nine strikeouts over eight innings of work. He helped his own cause with a 2-for-3 day at the dish, highlighted by a two-out, run-scoring double in the fifth that knocked home the go-ahead run.
Reno led by a three-run margin in the ninth and turned to Scott Maine, who retired the first two batters he faced before walking consecutive hitters to bring the tying run to the plate. From there, the Aces called on Doug Slaten, who struck out Brian Bogusevic to end the ballgame. For Slaten, it was his sixth save of the season.
Sunday's loss fell to Round Rock's Felipe Paulino (2-1), who allowed five runs on seven hits over six innings of work.
Offensively for Reno, Brandon Watson collected two hits, two RBIs and a run scored. Brandon Allen finished 1-for-3 with two runs scored and two more driven in.
Eric Byrnes began his Major League Rehabilitation Assignment with the Aces Sunday, finishing 1-for-4 before being replaced in the eighth inning.
The series comes to a close on Monday night from Aces Ballpark. RHP Tony Barnette (10-7, 6.29 ERA) goes to the mound for Reno, while the Express are set to counter with LHP Mark McLemore. First pitch is slated for 7:05 p.m. PT.
For tickets, stop by the Aces Ballpark Box Office, call (775) 334-7000 or visit www.RenoAces.com.