TACOMA, Wash.- Tony Barnette dealt eight shutout innings of one-hit baseball, and Alex Romero notched four hits as the Reno Aces topped Tacoma 11-2 Sunday at Cheney Stadium, completing the first series sweep in franchise history.
Battling a constant and steady downpour of rain throughout much of the afternoon, Barnette (6-6) was dominant, allowing just a second-inning single off the bat of Major League rehabber Kenji Johjima. Barnette walked two and struck out five in the winning effort. In the ninth inning Sunday, Jose Marte came on in relief of Barnette and allowed two runs. But Reno's cushion was enough to withstand the late Tacoma rally.
The loss fell to Tacoma starter Andy Baldwin (5-4), who allowed five runs on nine hits over five innings of work. Baldwin punched out five and did not issue a free pass.
At the plate for the Aces, Romero led the way with his second four-hit game of the season. Ed Rogers and Brandon Watson each chipped in three hits, while Luke Carlin drove in three runs.
Reno now has won four-straight and seven of its last eight games. The Aces find themselves just a game under the .500 mark after finishing off their first series sweep.
The Aces will enjoy an off-day on Monday before kicking-off a four-game set with the Portland Beavers on Tuesday. In the opener, RHP Seth Etherton (4-5, 5.40 ERA) gets the nod for Reno, while Portland will counter with RHP Brian Lawrence (1-0, 1.50). First pitch from PGE Park is set for 7:05 p.m. PT and the action can be heard live on Fox Sports Radio 1450 AM.
After completing this 8-game tour of the Pacific Northwest, the Aces return home for an action-packed four-game homestand at Aces Ballpark on June 27.
For tickets, stop by the Aces Ballpark Box Office, call (775) 334-7000 or visit www.RenoAces.com.
