SALT LAKE CITY " Josh Wilson gave Reno a quick first-inning lead, and Seth Etherton was solid through five innings of work Saturday afternoon at Spring Mobile Ballpark, as the Reno Aces topped the Salt Lake Bees, 7-2, marking the first win in franchise history.
The Aces took a first-inning lead and never looked back, adding five runs in the second and one more in the third to provide the knockout punch.
Etherton (1-0) kept the Salt Lake offense at bay through five frames to earn the victory. The right-hander allowed just two runs " one earned " on three hits. He walked four and struck out four. Out of the Reno bullpen, Esmerling Vasquez tossed two perfect innings, Josh Ellis threw a spotless eighth and Leo Rosales worked a scoreless ninth.
The loss went to Bees starter Matt Palmer (0-1), who lasted just 1.2 innings. Palmer surrendered six runs on nine hits.
The Reno offense wasted little time before lighting up the scoreboard. Consecutive walks issued to Alex Romero and Josh Whitesell brought Wilson to the plate with two away in the inning. Wilson promptly singled sharply to right, chasing home Romero, who narrowly beat the tag at home plate to give the Aces a 1-0 advantage.
The Aces and Bees will hook up in the series finale today afternoon. First pitch is set for 1:05 p.m. and can be heard on Fox Sports Radio 1450AM.