RENO, Nev.- Ed Rogers drove in four of Reno's seven runs Friday night, as the Aces beat the Albuquerque Isotopes in the series finale before 9,263 fans, the largest crowd in Aces Ballpark history.
The Aces trailed 1-0 after 'Topes leadoff hitter Chin-lung Hu hit a solo homer on the first pitch of the game, but Albuquerque's lead would not last. Reno exploded for five runs in the fourth inning to take a 5-3 lead. In the fourth, Luke Carlin and Agustin Murillo had RBI singles, but the big blow was a 3-run, bases-clearing double off the bat of Rogers. Reno added insurance runs in the sixth and eighth innings to preserve the lead.
Despite Hu's leadoff homer, Aces starter Billy Buckner (9-3) was solid throughout the evening, allowing only three runs on five hits while striking out three. Jose Marte (2) earned the save after throwing two innings of scoreless relief.
J.D. Durbin (0-5) suffered the defeat for Albuquerque, allowing five earned runs in 3.1 innings of work.
Carlin and Cole Gillespie chipped-in with 2-hit games for Reno, which played host to its fourth sellout of the season.
Saturday, the Aces head east for a four-game series at Colorado Springs followed by a five-game set at intrastate rival Las Vegas. Saturday's game will pit Reno RHP Tony Barnette (11-7, 6.01 ERA) against Colorado Springs RHP Esmil Rogers (1-4, 6.44 ERA). All nine games can be heard on Fox Sports Radio 1450 AM in Reno. Saturday's first pitch is set for 6:05 p.m. PT.
The Aces' final homestand begins August 31 at Aces Ballpark. For tickets, stop by the Aces Ballpark Box Office, call (775) 334-7000 or visit www.RenoAces.com.
