Etherton shines, Aces win 5th straight

PORTLAND, Ore. - Seth Etherton allowed just a run over eight innings of work Tuesday night, vaulting the Reno Aces to a 4-1 victory over the Portland Beavers in the series opener at PGE Park.

Reno won its fifth-straight game, staying perfect on the roadtrip thanks to a dominant effort by Etherton (5-5). The Aces starter allowed just five hits, dealing seven scoreless innings before his shutout bid was spoiled in the eighth. Reno closer Bobby Korecky came on in the ninth and slammed the door on his 10th save of the season.

Portland starter Brian Lawrence (1-1) was pinned with the loss Tuesday, surrendering four runs on 10 hits over six innings of work. Lawrence walked one and struck out five. Three Portland relievers would combine to keep Reno off the scoreboard over the game's final three frames.

At the plate for Reno, Trent Oeltjen and Rusty Ryal each picked up two hits on the night. Josh Whitesell returned to the Aces lineup with a hit and two RBIs.

With the win, Reno improves to 36-36 at the halfway point of the season, hitting the .500 mark for the first time since April 17.

The series continues Wednesday night, as the Aces look to climb above the .500 mark for the first time this season. Yusmeiro Petit (0-1, 7.27 ERA) gets the start for Reno, making a Major League rehab appearance. Portland will counter with Mike O'Connor (0-0, 7.71). First pitch from PGE Park is set for 7:05 p.m., and the action can be heard live on Fox Sports Radio 1450 AM.

After completing this 8-game tour of the Pacific Northwest, the Aces return home for an action-packed four-game homestand at Aces Ballpark on June 27.