:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/50534533/acesstarwars.0.jpg)
The Reno Aces have figured out the mastery of the epic comeback, doing it consecutive games against the Tacoma Rainiers. Last night they fell behind 5-0, tonight 4-0. Trailing 4-0, they scored 4 in the 2nd, 1 in the 3rd, 3 in the 4th, and 2 in the 5th. Last night, they used the long ball as part of the comeback. Tonight, they took the death by a million paper cuts approach with singles and doubles mixed together.
Snake Stars
3 Stars: RHP Cameron Smith (AZL Dbacks/Rk) 5 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 8 K, W (1-1)
2 Stars: 2B Paxton De La Garza (Missoula/Rk+) 3 for 4, BB, 2B, 2-R HR (3), 3 RBI
1 Star: RHP Emilio Vargas (Kane County/A) 5 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 6 K, GS 72
0 Stars: RHP Erbert Gonzalez (Missoula/Rk+) 1⁄3 IP, 2 H, 4 R, 3 BB, 2/2 Inherited runners scored
AAA Reno Aces 11, Tacoma Rainiers (SEA) 5: The Aces trailed 4-0 in the 2nd inning, but responded with 10 unanswered to take a 10-4 lead. Todd Glaesmann tied the game in the 2nd with a 3-run homer and the Aces went 8 for 12 with RISP. Shelby Miller struggled on the mound, allowing 4 runs on 9 hits and a walk while striking out 4. He settled down after the Aces bats tied the game, not allowing a run in his final 2 2⁄3 innings. Carlos Rivero paced the offense with a triple-double (3 doubles) and 2 RBI in 4 ABs.
AA Mobile Baybears 5, Pensacola Blue Wahoos (CIN) 3: The Baybears used a 3-run 8th inning to take a 5-3 lead. Edgar Garcia allowed 3 runs in 4 innings, but the real hero of the game was the bullpen. The combination of Jared Miller, Zac Curtis, Gabe Speier, and Matt Stites pitched 5 scoreless innings with 5 strikeouts, no walks, and only 3 hits allowed. Speier picked up the win and Stites picked up his 15th save. Matt Jones hit a pair of doubles and scored twice and Dawel Lugo went 3 for 4 with a triple and 2 RBI.
A+ Visalia Rawhide 1, Modesto Nuts (COL) 2: Justin Donatella was the victim of poor run support as the Rawhide wasted a quality start. Donatella allowed 2 runs in 6 innings, striking out 6 in a tough luck loss. Unfortunately Jack Wynkoop was slightly better and couldn’t sustain any offense outside of a Tyler Baker RBI double. The Rawhide had 6 hits in the game with 5 of them between Baker and Austin Byler, who went a combined 5 for 7 at the plate.
A Kane County 2, Burlington Bees (LAA) 1: Emilio Vargas continues to amaze, as he threw 5 shutout innings while striking out 6 and walking none. Jamie Barrea matched his numbers with 5 scoreless innings as well. Fortunately since the Cougars were on the road, Vargas picked up the win when his offense scratched across a run in the 6th. Ramon Hernandez doubled and scored on a Sergio Alcantara RBI single. The Cougars tacked on an insurance run following 3 scoreless innings from Keegan Long, which they would need as Austin Mason decided to pitch to the score in the bottom of the 9th.
Rookie+ Missoula Osprey 5, Billings Mustangs (CIN) 15: The Osprey pitching staff got trounced, allowing 17 hits and didn’t help their cause by issuing 10 free passes. Paxton De La Garza was the long bright spot in the loss, going 3 for 4 with 3 RBI and finished a triple short of the cycle.
Rookie AZL Dbacks 1/6, AZL Athletics (OAK) 0/5: The Dbacks won a pair of 1 run games. The first was 7 shutout innings, with a rehabbing Yoan Lopez pitching 2 innings with a pair of strikeouts. Cameron Smith went the final 5 for the win, going 5 hitless innings and striking out 8. Francis Martinez had the only RBI of Game 1, driving in Eduardo Diaz. Game 2 was a bit different as the bats woke up for that game. The Dbacks scored 6 of the first 7 runs of the game to take a 6-1 lead, but walked away with the shirts on the backs with a 6-5 win. The Dbacks bats affected the game with 4 SB and scored 6 runs despite only getting 3 RBI. Chris Herrmann went 2 for 4 with a double in Game 1.