Aces fall to New Orleans 7-2

RENO " A change of scenery didn't do anything to help the Reno Aces snap out of their hitting slump.

The Aces (15-25) hit .202 on their recent eight-game road trip, and they opened an eight-game homestand with eight hits in a 7-2 loss to the New Orleans Zephyrs on Thursday night before 7,088 at Aces Ballpark.

"We have to take a better approach as a whole," said catcher John Hester, who brought a .312 batting average into the game. "As a whole, we're chasing pitches out of the zone. You go through stuff like this during the season."

Part of the Aces' recent skid at the plate can be attributed to the absence of first baseman Josh Whitesell, who spent nine games with the Arizona Diamondbacks before being sent back down Tuesday, and designated hitter Agustin Murillo, who was suspended 50 games for a failed drug test.