FRESNO, Calif.- Hector Ambriz allowed just two runs over seven innings of work Friday night, pushing the Reno Aces to their fourth-straight victory, an 8-2 decision over the Fresno Grizzlies in the series opener at Chukchansi Park.
Ambriz (4-7) enjoyed one of his best starts of the season and snapped a personal three-game losing skid over his last three decisions. The right-hander scattered five hits over his outing, walking just one and punching out five. Out of the Aces bullpen, Major League rehabber Tom Gordon and Jason Urquidez kept the Grizzlies hitless over the game's final two innings to secure the victory.
The loss on Friday night fell to Fresno's Joe Martinez (0-1), who surrendered three earned runs on seven hits over 5.2 frames.
At the plate for Reno, Brandon Watson homered for the second-straight game, on the heels of recording the first cycle in club history one night earlier. Trent Oeltjen finished 3-for-4, while Rusty Ryal and Chris Snyder each drove in a pair of runs.
With the victory, the Aces move to 52-48, four games above the .500 mark for the first time this season.
The series continues on Saturday night from Chukchansi Park. RHP Ramon Ortiz (2-2, 3.15 ERA) gets the nod for the Grizzlies. Reno's starter is still to be determined.
