Aces baseball recap: Duncan, Reno defeat Las Vegas 4-1 to tie series
Submitted by Carson Now Reader on Sun, 06/04/2017 - 4:08pm
More than 5,000 fans poured into Greater Nevada field Sunday to watch the final game of a four game series between the Reno Aces and Las Vegas 51s. With the series 2-1 in the 51s’ favor, the Aces looked primed and ready to even the series at 2-2. Before an eleven game road trip in Tacoma, Sacramento, and Salt Lake City.
The first inning ended in a draw, as starting pitchers Frank Duncan (Reno) and Ricky Knapp (Las Vegas) recorded quick innings. Keeping the intense matchup scoreless heading into the second inning.
After a scoreless run, with both offenses struggling, action resumed in the third. As a leadoff double from catcher Hank Conger lead to a sacrifice fly from second baseman Ildemaro Vargas. Giving the Aces a 1-0 lead to end the inning.
Duncan and Knapp kept both offenses in check, forcing batters into easy groundouts and pop flies. Keeping Reno’s 1-0 safe to conclude the fourth and fifth innings.
The ice cold streak at the plate ended for the 51s during the sixth inning. As a groundout from first baseman Dominic Smith advanced center fielder Brandon Nimmo home, tying the game 1-1. Duncan forced a double play to end the top half of the inning.
Shortstop Ketel Marte continued his hot streak at the plate, as he blasted a two run homerun to deep right field. Breaking the tie, and putting the Aces back up 3-1. But the offense kept cooking in the sixth, as a triple next at bat from right fielder Oswaldo Arcia advanced home from a throwing error. Adding another run to the comfortable Reno lead, making the score 4-1. Capping off a 4 hit, 3 run inning heading into the top of the seventh. Duncan continued to roll on the mound, striking out two batters in a row to end the seventh inning. The 4-1 lead still in Reno’s favor.
Kyle Regnault relieved Knapp of his duties in the bottom of the seventh inning. Keeping the inning scoreless and the bases empty. Erik Davis came in relief for Duncan to start the top of the eighth inning. Preserving the 4-1 lead, while recording two strikeouts in the process.
Jimmie Sherfy recorded the save, as the Reno Aces defeated the Las Vegas 51s 4-1. Tying the series 2-2.
After the win, first baseman Christian Walker spoke about the impact of this victory before their long road trip, “Everyone cares that there is a certain amount of significance to this win. Especially being down in this series and winning the last one to tie it up.” Walker said, “A win like this is always good, especially before a long road trip, so hopefully we keep this good momentum going.”
For Las Vegas, Ricky Knapp pitched a full 6 innings, allowing 4 earned runs on 6 hits with 2 walks and 2 strikeouts. At the plate, Dominic Smith finished 1 for 4 with a single and RBI. Brandon Nimmo finished 1 for 4 with a double. Amed Rosario, Xorge Carrillo, and Gavin Cecchini each had 1 single apiece.
For Reno, Frank Duncan pitched a full 7 innings, giving up just 1 earned run on 2 walks with 4 strikeouts. He also went 1 for 2 with a single. At the plate, Ketel Marte finished 1 for 4 with a home run and 2 RBI’s. Oswaldo Arcia went 1 for 4 with a triple. Ildemaro Vargas added a sacrifice RBI. Hank Conger went 1 for 3 with a double. Christian Walker added a single and stolen base. Jack Reinheimer also added 1 single.
The Reno Aces will return home June 17 in another rubber match against the Las Vegas 51s, the homestand will last from June 17-25.
