Aces cruise to first second-half win

SACRAMENTO - Brandon Allen put Reno ahead for good with a solo home run in the fourth inning Thursday night, as the Reno Aces kicked-off the season's second half with a 6-3 win over Sacramento at Raley Field.

Allen smashed his second homer in a Reno uniform in the fourth inning, unlocking a 2-2 tie. The Aces would go on to add insurance runs in each of the next two innings to cruise to victory in the first game after the All-Star break.

Aces starter Billy Buckner (4-2) won his third-straight decision, scattering three runs - two earned - on five hits over six innings . Buckner walked two and struck out four. Out of the Aces bullpen, Tom Gordon, pitching on a Major League rehabilitation assignment, retired two batters in the seventh before giving way to Travis Blackley, who earned his second-career save with 2.1 innings of hitless baseball.

The loss fell to Sacramento's Dana Eveland (7-2), who surrendered six runs on eight hits over six innings. Three River Cats relievers kept Reno silent over the final three innings.

At the dish for the Aces, Rusty Ryal hit his team-leading 13th home run, a two-run shot in the fifth. Brandon Watson and Trent Oeltjen each tripled Thursday night. For Oeltjen it was his Minor-League-leading 13th on the season.

The series continues Friday night at Raley Field. Tony Barnette (6-7, 6.70 ERA) gets the nod for Reno, while Sacramento will counter with Jerome Williams (1-3, 6.23 ERA). First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. and the action can be heard live on Fox Sports Radio 1450 AM.