RENO, Nev. (KOLO) – The Aces were two outs away from a series split against the Sacramento River Cats on Sunday afternoon. A late bullpen collapse cost them, allowing six runs in the top of the ninth to spoil the Reno comeback.
The Aces scored five runs in the fifth inning, keyed by Pavin Smith, who had three hits in the game prior to his big league call up the next day. LuJames Groover also hit a go-ahead home run in the eighth inning to fire up the home crowd.
Reno won Friday and Saturday’s contests to salvage two of six in the home series.
“We didn’t start the series the way we wanted to, losing the first three. Coming back and winning the next two was big, as well as being in this game all day Sunday,” said outfielder Jack Hurley, who had a couple runs batted in on the series finale. “It shows that if we get knocked down, we’re still there, still in the fight. Baseball is a funny sport, and we can always win any game, so just keep on grinding.”
The Aces will head down to Las Vegas next to take on their in-state rivals, the Aviators. That six-game series will begin on Tuesday evening.
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