COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo.-Cole Gillespie hit his third home run of the season and the Aces mounted a furious ninth-inning rally, but ultimately fell 8-7 to Colorado Springs Wednesday night at Spring Mobile Ballpark.
Colorado Springs put up runs in each of the first four innings and held on for the victory behind a strong start by Josh Muecke. Gillespie's solo shot in the fourth would be the only offense for Reno off the Sky Sox starter, as Muecke held Reno to just four hits in eight innings of work. The Aces would make it interesting in the ninth, plating six runs off two Colorado Springs relievers and ultimately getting the tying run to third base, but Jeff Bailey flied out to end the game and the Aces rally.
Kevin Mulvey (0-5) was tagged with the loss, as he was touched up for seven earned runs in just four innings of work, striking out four and walking three. Zach Kroenke had a strong outing out of the bullpen, hurling three scoreless frames, striking out four and allowing two hits.
Muecke (1-3) delivered his best performance of the season for the Sky Sox, earning his first win in dominant fashion despite recording just one strikeout. Juan Rincon and Alan Johnston allowed all six ninth-inning runs for Colorado Springs on two hits and six walks.
Gillespie finished with two hits, two RBIs and two runs scored for the Aces, and Doug Deeds continued his hot hitting with a two-hit night of his own, raising his batting average to .319 on the season.
Game three of this four-game set is scheduled for Thursday night, when Reno RHP Kris Benson (1-1, 6.55 ERA) will make his third Major League rehab start for Reno. He will be opposed by Sky Sox LHP Greg Smith (0-0, 0.00 ERA). First pitch is set for 6:05 p.m. PT from Security Service Field, and all the action can be heard live in Reno on Fox Sports Radio 1450 AM.
Reno returns home Saturday night for an eight-game homestand, with Saturday's 7:05 game kicking off the festivities. Tickets for all Aces games start at just $7, and are available by calling the Reno Aces box office at (775) 334-7000 or by visiting RenoAces.com. The brand-new Freight House District, located just outside Aces Ballpark, is open seven days a week, on both game days and non-game days.
