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PCL1 Reno Aces

Reno Rallies for Doubleheader Sweep

August 17, 2015 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Reno Aces News Release


COLORADO SPRINGS, CO. - The Reno Aces (@Aces) erased a late 2-0 deficit in game one and an early 3-0 hole in game two for a doubleheader sweep over the Colorado Springs Sky Sox Monday afternoon at Security Service Field.

The sweep improved the Aces' record to 8-2 in doubleheaders this season.

An expected pitcher's duel in game one lived up to the billing. Highly-rated prospects Aaron Blair (@A_Blair19) and Zach Davies went toe-to-toe over six innings apiece, both allowing just two earned runs.

Reno's Blair was masterful over the first four innings, but a misplayed pop-up in the fifth cost the right-hander his scoreless streak and nearly a chance at his sixth win over his last eight starts.

Locked in a 0-0 game, Aces shortstop Danny Worth stumbled near the second-base bag on a high infield pop-up, allowing Davies to reach first base safely. Kyle Wren smacked the ensuing pitch into right for a single and moments later, Luis Sardinas grounded a run-scoring single into center to make it 1-0. The next batter, Domingo Santana - traded from the Houston Astros to the Milwaukee Brewers at the July deadline - smashed an opposite-field ground-rule double, extending the Sky Sox lead to 2-0.

Reno (59-63), who totaled four base runners against Davies through the first five innings, matched that mark in the sixth with a two-out rally of their own. Walks drawn by Jamie Romak and Peter O'Brien sandwiched an infield single by Mike Freeman (@MikeBFree5) before veteran catcher Gerald Laird (@laird_III) lined a first-pitch, two-run single to right to tie the game at two.

With his scoreless innings streak snapped at 16 2/3 innings, the longest by an Aces' pitcher this season, Blair (6-1) returned for the home half of the sixth with a vengeance. The 23-year-old struck out the side - all swinging - on nine pitches.

And his offense rewarded him in the seventh.

Facing Preston Guilmet (2-1), Blake Lalli (@BlakeLalli) pinch-hit for Blair and beat out a ground ball to second base. He then moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Nick Buss (@chilibuss) and after a flyout, scored on a single by Nick Evans, giving the Aces their first lead, 3-2.

Closer Enrique Burgos worked a scoreless bottom half for his fifth save of the season.

In the nightcap, Colorado Springs (51-71) plated three runs off Allen Webster (@11Webster11) in the first inning. A two-out, two-run homer by Matt Clark put the Sky Sox up 2-0 and three batters later, Pete Orr lined an RBI single to right.

Trailing 3-0, the Aces mounted their comeback during the middle innings. In the third, Jordan Pacheco (@Jstylep) ripped a two-run blast off the scoreboard in left-center to make it 3-2, and an RBI single by Lalli scored Romak who previously doubled, tying the game at three in the fourth.

The Sky Sox went to their bullpen in the fifth, bringing in southpaw Jeremy Horst (0-1) to face the top of the Aces' lineup. Buss drew a leadoff walk before Freeman laid down a bunt single. Danny Dorn then sacrificed the duo up 90 feet with a bunt, placing the go-ahead run at third base.

In need of a productive out or single, Romak instead displayed his power, launching a 3-2 pitch from Horst over the wall in left for his 23rd home run. The three-run blast gave him 90 RBI, tied for third-most in Aces' single-season history and just seven shy of Mike Jacobs' all-time best of 97 set last season.

Dorn added an insurance run with a run-scoring double in the seventh.

Matt Reynolds (3-5) picked up the win for the Aces with two shutout innings in relief of Webster, and Kaleb Fleck (@k_fleck) worked a 1-2-3 seventh to close out the victory.

Freeman finished a perfect 4-for-4 in game two and totaled five hits in the double dip. Evans' go-ahead single in game one pushed his hitting streak to 17 games, but the streak was snapped after he went 0-for-4 in game two.

Game two was delayed 34 minutes after one inning of play due to a tornado warning. Both teams were sent to the batting cages for cover.

The Aces and Sky Sox play the finale of their four-game set Tuesday night. The Aces will send right-hander Caleb Clay (7-7, 5.16) to the mound, opposite Sky Sox right-hander Josh Roenicke (6-9, 5.60). First pitch is set for 5:35 PST.

Group outings are on-sale now at www.RenoAces.com or by calling (775) 334-4700. For up-to-date news and notes throughout the season, follow the club on Twitter (@aces) or like the team on Facebook.

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Pacific Coast League Stories from August 17, 2015


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