Reno, Nev.- Brandon Allen smashed his eighth homer of the year, extending his hitting streak to a franchise-record-tying 12 games, as Reno defeated the Tacoma Rainiers 5-3 on a rainy night at Aces Ballpark.
Both teams came out swinging after the game's opening pitch was delayed one hour and eight minutes due to prolonged rain showers. Tacoma took a 1-0 lead in the first, but Reno came back to tie the game at 1-1 on a John Hester RBI single. In the fifth, Rusty Ryal gave Reno a 3-1 lead with a two-run triple. After Tacoma tied the game in the sixth, Cole Gillespie put the Aces ahead for good in the bottom of the frame with an RBI triple before Allen's towering blast to right in the bottom of the eighth.
Reno starter Seth Etherton (9-6) continued his brilliance on the hill, tossing seven innings of three-run ball. Jose Marte pitched two scoreless innings of relief for his first save of the season.
Rainiers starting pitcher Gaby Hernandez (3-9) was tagged with the loss, giving up four earned runs in 5.2 innings of work. Denny Stark threw the final 2.1 innings, with Allen's home run being his only blemish.
Ryal (2-for-4, 2 RBI) and Allen (1-for-4, HR, RBI) led the offensive attack for Reno, who won the game despite being outhit 11-7 by Tacoma.
With the victory, Reno improves to 11-2 on the season against Tacoma with three games to play. The second game of this four-game set will be Wednesday evening, and will pit Reno's RHP Hector Ambriz (4-7, 5.60 ERA) against Tacoma's RHP Brandon Morrow (0-1, 5.79 ERA). First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m.
For tickets, stop by the Aces Ballpark Box Office, call (775) 334-7000 or visit www.RenoAces.com.
