PORTLAND, Ore.- Josh Whitesell blasted a two-run home run in the seventh inning Thursday night, unlocking a 6-6 tie and lifting Reno to its sixth-straight victory, an 8-6 win over Portland at PGE Park.
The Beavers posted three runs in the fifth, tying the score at six apiece. In the seventh, though, that deadlock was undone, as Whitesell hammered a Jonathan Ellis offering deep over the wall in right to put the Aces on top 8-6. The Aces bullpen would make the lead stand up, and Reno jumped above the .500 mark for the first time this season.
Aces reliever Jason Urquidez (2-1) worked 1.1 innings to pick up the victory. After Doug Slaten earned a hold with a scoreless eighth, Leo Rosales came on to slam the door in the ninth for his third save.
Reno starter Yusmeiro Petit lasted four innings in a Major League rehab start, scattering three runs on four hits. Petit walked three and struck out three in a 78-pitch effort. At the plate, he helped his own cause with two hits and two RBIs.
Thursday's loss fell to Ellis (5-3), who surrendered the go-ahead runs in the seventh.
Whitesell led Reno's offense with two hits and four RBIs. John Hester finished 3-for-3 with a walk and a run scored. The series comes to a close with a doubleheader on Friday.
The Aces and Beavers will play two seven-inning games, beginning at 4:30 p.m. PT from PGE Park. In game one, RHP Hector Ambriz (3-4, 4.45 ERA) takes on RHP Tim Stauffer (0-0, 1.80). The nightcap will pit RHP Bryan Augenstein (1-2, 6.16 ERA) against RHP John Hudgins (0-0, 2.45). The action can be heard live on Fox Sports 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 Saturday.
For tickets, stop by the Aces Ballpark Box Office, call (775) 334-7000 or visit www.RenoAces.com.
