Rainiers storm back, shock Aces in extras
TACOMA, WASH. - The Tacoma Rainiers shocked the Reno Aces (@Aces) with five runs in the bottom of the ninth to force extras, ultimately winning 7-6 in 10 innings Friday night at Cheney Stadium.
Two home runs by Jabari Blash and a 5-for-5 night from Ramon Flores carried the Rainiers to the stunning, come-from-behind win.
Following the ninth-inning collapse, Reno closer Enrique Burgos walked four batters in the home half of the 10th, giving the Rainiers their sixth walk-off win of the season.
Facing left-hander Roenis Elias for the second time this season, the Aces pounded out four hits in the opening frame. Nick Buss (@chilibuss) began the game with a walk and moved to third on a double by Brandon Drury.
Nick Evans - who entered the affair with a nine-game hitting streak - pushed his streak to 10 games with a line-drive single to center, scoring Buss. One out later, Peter O'Brien plated Drury on a fielder's choice to make it 2-0.
Todd Glaesmann (@toddglaesmann22) continued the rally with a two-out single, and Danny Worth capped the outburst with a two-run double to the wall in right.
Up 4-0 after one inning, Reno's Jordan Pacheco (@JStyleP) joined the party in the second with a leadoff home run. The hit was Pacheco's first base knock since July 9, and it snapped an 0-for-21 skid for the Aces' utilityman.
Tacoma (55-59) got their first run in the bottom of the second on a solo shot by Jabari Blash, his second of the series.
Reno (54-59) responded immediately in the third inning to push their lead back to five. Jamie Romak doubled to center and two outs later, Worth singled to right, giving him a team-high three RBI.
But Blash and the Rainiers had much more in store.
After recording the first out in the ninth, Aces reliever Matt Stites (@matt_stites) struggled. Flores lined his fifth single of the night to center and Chris Taylor followed with a walk. An ensuing mound visit didn't help Stites, as Stefen Romero cut the deficit to 6-2 with a double to right.
Aces skipper Phil Nevin summoned Enrique Burgos for the final two outs, but Tacoma was far from finished. After Burgos retired Justin Ruggiano on a fly ball, Patrick Kivlehan lined a two-run single to center. Down to their last strike, Blash blasted a 1-2 offering from Burgos over the left-field wall, tying the game at six.
Burgos then lost his command in the bottom of the 10th, issuing walks to Leury Bonilla, Flores, Romero and Ruggiano, the latter forcing home the deciding run.
Both starters took no-decisions in the extra-inning contest. Reno's Caleb Clay (@CalebClay) threw 6 1/3 innings of one-run ball. He escaped trouble in both the third and fourth innings with inning-ending double plays. Tacoma's ninth-inning rally got Elias off the hook for the loss. He yielded six earned runs on eight hits over six innings.
Jose Ramirez (1-0) picked up the win for Tacoma with two shutout innings in relief. Burgos (0-1) suffered the loss after allowing three earned runs on two hits and four walks over 1 1/3 innings.
Game four of the five-game series is set for Saturday night at Cheney Stadium. Right-hander Jhoulys Chacin (4-3, 3.34) starts for the Aces against right-hander Adrian Sampson (1-0, 3.38) for the Rainiers. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.
Group outings at Aces Ballpark 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.