Aces baseball recap: Reno falls to Las Vegas 9-5 in lopsided matchup
Submitted by Carson Now Reader on Sat, 06/03/2017 - 10:55pm
Event Date:
June 3, 2017 - 7:00pm With the sun shining bright, and 7,128 in attendance at Greater Nevada Field, the Reno Aces faced off against the Las Vegas 51s for the third time in their back and forth four game series Saturday. Starting pitchers Eric Jokisch (Reno) and Steven Matz (Las Vegas, placed on assignment) took the mound in a lefty vs. lefty duel. Ready to pitch the seams off the ball, and lead their respective teams to victory.
Las Vegas jumped off to an early lead in the top of the first inning, as Brandon Nimmo scored from first off his leadoff single thanks to an RBI triple from Amed Rosario. Next at bat, Rosario scored from Dominc Smith’s sacrifice RBI. Giving the 51s a 2-0 lead in a flash heading into the bottom half of the first inning.
Matz found his groove on the mound early in the bottom of the first, as he recorded the inning with two strikeouts. Keeping the 2-0 lead in Las Vegas’ grasp. The second inning resembled more of the same, as both pitchers recorded quick innings and the offense came to a sudden halt.
Jokisch faced more turmoil during the top of the third inning, as left fielder Travis Taijeron’s 2 RBI single with the bases loaded set Las Vegas up with a 4-0 advantage. The four run deficit was soon cut to two after Ketel Marte’s 2 run blast to left center. Making the score a slim 4-2 lead for the 51s to conclude the third inning.
The struggles continued for Jokisch during the top of the fourth inning, as Brandon Nimmo blasted a grand slam to deep right field. Highlighting a three hit, four run inning. Giving Las Vegas a commanding 8-2 lead heading into the bottom half of the fourth inning. Matz continued to keep the Aces offense quiet, keeping the score lopsided with tremendous command and technique to conclude the fourth inning.
Keyvius Sampson came in relief for Jokisch to start the fifth inning, but the Las Vegas offense continued to steamroll Reno. As the 51s added yet another run, as they solidified their lead to make the score 9-2.
Although the lead was quite large, Reno wasn’t going down without a fight. The Aces exploded for a 4 hit, 3 run bottom of the fifth inning. Highlighted by RBI’s from: Sampson, Marte, and Christian Walker. Cutting the Las Vegas lead 9-5. During the three run rally, Logan Taylor relieved Matz of his duties.
Sampson kept the bases empty to conclude the top of the sixth inning. Giving the Aces offense a chance at redemption, and cutting into the 51s’ lead. But the Vegas defense stood tall, keeping the scoring column at 9-5 heading into the seventh inning.
After two complete innings, Kaleb Fleck recorded the next three outs in the top of the seventh inning in a hurry. Keeping the deficit at 9-5 for the Aces with just two more innings to play. Erik Goeddel also came in for relief during the bottom of the seventh inning.
The Reno offense couldn’t seem to find any life, as Vargas, Marte, and Hazelbaker were sent back to the dugout in 1,2,3 fashion. Putting Las Vegas in the driver’s seat with two full innings left of play.
A leadoff double by Walker in the bottom of the eighth inning put the Aces in prime position for a comeback. But the tremendous pitching of Hansel Robles left Walker stranded on second. Losing out on the opportunity to possibly cut into Las Vegas lead. Leaving the matchup at 9-5 with one final inning of play.
The Aces offense ultimately sputtered the final 4 innings, as it resulted in a 9-5 loss to the Las Vegas 51s.
After the tough loss, Marte described the adjustments needed headed into next game, “When I come to field, I work really hard.” Marte said, “The standard we have here is give it your all and you will succeed. So we are going to give one hundred percent in order to win.”
Marte also explained how to carry his impressive performance into future series, “I’m just trying to get a good grip and make solid contact. Just finding my pitch and finding my swing helps a lot.”
For Las Vegas, Steven Matz pitched 4 and one third innings, giving up 5 earned runs on 8 hits with 5 strikeouts and no walks. At the plate, Brandon Nimmo finished 2 for 4 with a single, home run, and 4 RBI’s. Amed Rosario finished 1 for 5 with an RBI triple. Travis Taijeron finished 1 for 3 with a single and 2 RBI’s. Dominic Smith added an RBI. Gavin Cecchini finished 2 for 4 with 2 singles. Desmond Jennings and Josh Rodriguez each had 1 single apiece.
For Reno, Eric Jokisch pitched a full 4 innings, giving up 6 earned runs on 6 hits and 2 walks with 5 strikeouts. Keyvius Sampson pitched a full 2 innings giving up 1 earned run on 2 hits with 1 walk and strikeout. He also went 1 for 2 with an RBI single. At the plate, Ketel Marte finished 2 for 5 with a triple, home run, and 3 RBI’s. Christian Walker went 2 for 4 with a single, double, and RBI. Socrates Brito finished 2 for 3 with a single and triple. Ildemaro Vargas finished 2 for 5 with 2 singles. Jeremy Hazelbaker and Ronnie Freeman added 1 double apiece. Kristopher Negro added a single.
The Aces and 51s will conclude their four game series Sunday, June 4th at 1:05 PM.
