Baseball: Aces hang on for win over Sacramento

SACRAMENTO, Calif.-Ryan Roberts homered, drove in two and stole two bases Friday night in a 7-5 win for the Reno Aces over the Sacramento River Cats at Raley Field.

Roberts finished 2-for-4 and scored twice, while Rusty Ryal fell just a single shy of the cycle. Ryal's home run in the third inning marked his third-straight game with a round tripper.

The Aces and River Cats were knotted at 5-5 until the Aces unlocked the tie in the eighth. John Hester scampered home with the go-ahead run on a wild pitch, then Ed Rogers recorded a pinch-hit RBI double to give Reno a one-run cushion.

From there, the Aces bullpen took over and preserved the lead. Doug Slaten (3-1) earned the win, and Reid Mahon picked up his first save after stranding the bases loaded in the ninth.

Aces starter Tony Barnette worked five innings in a no-decision effort, allowing four runs on nine hits with a walk and a strikeout. Jason Urquidez allowed a run on a hit over 1.2 innings of work before Slaten entered the game in the seventh.

River Cats starter Jerome Williams did not figure into the decision, allowing four runs on six hits over five innings of work. Friday night's loss fell to Jay Marshall (3-2), who was responsible for both Reno runs in the eighth.

The series continues Saturday night at Raley Field. RHP Seth Etherton (7-5, 4.46 ERA) will toe the slab for Reno, while RHP Chad Reineke (3-3, 4.44 ERA) gets the nod for the River Cats. First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. PT and the action can be heard live on Fox Sports Radio 1450 AM.

The Aces return home for a four-game set versus Portland July 20-23. For tickets, stop by the Aces Ballpark Box Office, call (775) 334-7000 or visit www.RenoAces.com.