FRESNO, Calif.- Ruben Gotay gave Reno an early lead with a solo home run in the first inning, but that was all the offense the Aces would get on Sunday, as the Fresno Grizzlies downed Reno, 6-1, at Chukchansi Park.
Gotay's blast, his seventh of the season, put Reno in the driver's seat early. But the advantage would be short-lived, as the Grizzlies would answer with a run of their own in the first. The game remained deadlocked at 1-1 until the sixth when Fresno pushed across two runs on a pair of RBI singles. Fresno added three insurance runs in the eighth to cruise to the victory and take a 2-1 advantage in the series.
Billy Buckner (5-3) gave Reno a quality start on Sunday night, but ultimately took the loss. Buckner allowed three runs on five hits over seven innings of work. Buckner walked four and punched out five. Out of the Aces bullpen, Tom Gordon was responsible for three runs scored in one-third of an inning before Jason Urquidez came on to record the final two outs in the eighth.
Sunday's win went to Fresno starter Matt Kinney (6-9), who allowed just a run on six hits over six innings of work. Steve Edlefsen recorded the game's final six outs to earn the save, his first.
At the plate for Reno, Gotay added two walks to his first-inning solo homer. Trent Oeltjen followed-up back-to-back three hit nights with a 2-for-5 day at the plate. Rusty Ryal doubled twice and Brandon Allen extended his hitting streak to a season-best 11 games.
Reno finished 0-for-8 with runners in scoring position and stranded 12 men on base.
The series comes to a close on Monday night from Chukchansi Park. RHP Tony Barnette (7-7, 6.62 ERA) gets the nod for the Aces, while the Grizzlies will counter with LHP Steve Hammond (7-8, 5.43 ERA). First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. PT.
Reno returns home on July 28 for an eight-game homestand. For tickets, stop by the Aces Ballpark Box Office, call (775) 334-7000 or visit www.RenoAces.com.
rent Oeltjen collected three hits for the second-straight night, but Fresno was too much on Saturday, as the Grizzlies topped the Aces, 9-2, at Chukchansi Park.
The Grizzlies led 5-0 through five innings and were never really challenged, as Fresno held the Aces offense to just six hits on the evening.
Travis Blackley (2-5), making a spot start for Reno, took the loss, allowing two runs on five hits over three innings of work. Abe Woody surrendered three runs over three innings of work and Reid Mahon allowed four runs in two innings pitched.
The win went to Fresno's Ramon Ortiz (3-2), who scattered just one unearned run on four hits over seven innings of work. Ortiz walked three and struck out three. Two Grizzlies relievers combined to allow just a run over the game's final two frames.
At the plate for the Aces, Brandon Watson drove in both of Reno's runs. Oeltjen finished his night at 3-for-4 with a run scored. In the series, Oeltjen is 6-for-8 at the dish.
The Aces were held to just six hits on the night, with five coming from the first two spots in the order-Oeltjen and Watson. Reno failed to hit a home run Saturday night, snapping a 13-game streak with at least one round tripper, a season high.
