PCL1 Reno Aces

Aces Fall 1-0 in Eleven-Inning Battle, Take Series

Published on June 9, 2017 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Reno Aces News Release


TACOMA, Wash. - The Reno Aces fell to the Tacoma Rainiers in the final game of the four-game series after a bottom of the eleventh, one-out, bases-loaded walk to former Ace Mitch Haniger Thursday night at Cheney Park. Eric Jokisch battled after giving up eight hits through seven innings without allowing a run, stranding nine Tacoma base runners in his 105-pitch outing, as the Aces only collected five hits.

In the sixth extra-inning game for the Aces this season, the Aces collected just two hits through the first five innings of play. After a quiet first inning, Jokisch got into trouble in the second after allowing a leadoff double to D.J. Peterson followed by back-to-back walks after a groundout. With the bases loaded, Jokisch tossed two line drives - one which directly found the glove of third-baseman Jack Reinheimer and another being a comebacker right to Jokisch to end the inning.

In the third, Jokisch found himself with his back against the wall once again after a one-out double by Mitch Haniger followed by a Daniel Vogelbach single to put runners on the corners. Yet again, Jokisch tossed another infield line-drive out to shortstop Ketel Marte and ended the third with a swinging strikeout.

The Aces found themselves in a scoring situation for the first time in the fifth after catcher Ronnie Freeman knocked a one-out double to left field. After Ildemaro Vargas grounded out to the right side of the infield, Freeman was in scoring position with two outs but the inning ended when Marte grounded out to second.

In the seventh, Rainiers Brayan Hernandez singled a ball through the hole at second with one out, stole second and was moved over to third on Zach Shank's groundout. But he was left stranded when Vogelbach ended the half with a groundout.

The Aces would put together a two-out rally started by Zach Borenstein who lasered a single to centerfield. Carlos Rivero followed Borenstein with a single to centerfield and Hank Conger walked to load the bases. On a 1-2 count, Freeman grounded into the force-out at second, ending the ninth.

After putting the leadoff batter on in the bottom of the eleventh on a walk, Tacoma's Ryan Jackson singled while Hernandez reaches on a sacrifice bunt that was bobbled in the hand of Aces reliever Matt Stites. With the bases loaded and no outs, Stites came firing back with a three-pitch strikeout to Shank. Then, with Haniger batting, Stites tossed eleven pitches including five two-strike foul balls. In the end, Haniger overcame the battle after taking a ball just out of the zone to walk off the three-hour and twenty-six minute contest.

Relievers Rubby De La Rosa and Jake Barrett combined for two no-hit, shutout innings. Stites finished after one and one-third innings, tossing a scoreless tenth inning with two strikeouts on the night. The Aces are 3-3 in extra innings games this season.

The loss brings Reno to a record of 38-23 on the season, four games up on the Rainiers in the Pacific Northern Division. The Aces head to Sacramento for a four-game set against the River Cats. First pitch of game one tomorrow is slated for 7:05 p.m. The Aces return to Greater Nevada Field on June 17 where they will face the Las Vegas 51's. Tickets are on-sale now at www.renoaces.com or by calling (775) 334-4700.?

Check out the Reno Aces Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Pacific Coast League Stories from June 9, 2017


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central