SOUTH JORDAN, Utah – The Reno Aces found a way to stay close in the early goings of their series opener with the Salt Lake Bees, but Salt Lake pulled away down the stretch leading to a 17-4 decision on Tuesday.
A three-run third inning for the Aces (21-25/53-68) helped them equalize the three runs scored by the Bees (16-30/55-65) in the home half of the second, but Reno still trailed by one after Salt Lake’s game-opening tally in the first. Two walks and an Anderdson Rojas single loaded the bases with no outs for Reno, with the first run scoring on a wild pitch from Bees starter Sam Aldegheri.
Another walk kept the bases full with one out where Tyler Locklear, who made his return to the Aces lineup today, singled through the left side and drove home two.
Before Reno could score again, the Bees managed five straight runs which was powered by a four-spot in the fifth. That stretch easily outlasted the single tally that Reno scored on a fielding error from a ball put in play by Rojas.
Action really started to get out of hand to end the game as the Bees scored the final eight runs, seven of which crossed in the eighth inning. That pushed the game to its final of 17-4, the second-most runs allowed in a game by Reno this season.
Charged with the loss for the Aces was Tommy Henry (4-7), who allowed the first four runs on five hits in three innings of work with two strikeouts and four walks. Just two of the seven Aces that took the mound left with a scoreless outing, the first of which was Bryce Jarvis while the other was catcher Christian Cerda.
Making a rehab appearance was Lourdes Gurriel Jr., who batted in the No. 3 in the order but was 0-for-4 with a walk and three strikeouts.
Kristian Robinson recorded two of Reno’s six hits in the contest, ending 2-for-3 with a run and two walks. This is the eighth time that he has reached base on four occasions in a single game, and half of those instances, including tonight, have come from the leadoff position.
A.J. Vukovich also scored once and reached twice thanks to a walk and a double, the only extra-base hit of the night for the Aces. Meanwhile, Locklear’s only hit was the single that brought home two while he also worked a pair of walks, the seventh straight game in which he has reached multiple times.
Reno will look to put an end to their five-game losing streak when these two teams take the field once more on Wednesday with first pitch scheduled for 5:35 p.m. PT.