Aces can't get DH sweep, split with Bees

Reno used a pair of home runs to cruise to a 7-3 win the opener, but dropped a 9-5 extra-inning decision in the nightcap Saturday night, as the Aces and Salt Lake Bees split a doubleheader at Spring Mobile Ballpark.

In the opener, a consistent scoring attack pushed the Aces to their third-straight win. Reno scored in the second, third, fifth and sixth innings to control a 5-0 lead. Salt Lake rallied for three runs in the bottom of the sixth, but the Aces added two insurance runs in the seventh and held on tight for the victory.

Bryan Augenstein (1-0) earned the victory, scattering three runs on six hits with five Ks and no walks over six innings of work. Bobby Korecky came on to slam the door in the final frame, though it was not a save situation.

Ruben Gotay blasted a two-run homer in the fifth, and Rusty Ryal gave the Aces a late cushion with his team-leading fifth home run in the seventh.

In the nightcap, Salt Lake's Adam Pavkovich hit a walk-off grand slam in the bottom of the ninth, erasing a 5-5 tie and cutting Reno's winning streak at three. Abe Woody (0-1), Reno's fourth reliever of the game, surrendered the ninth-inning homer and took the loss. Starter Travis Blackley surrendered three runs on five hits over three innings of work.

Bees reliever Jeremy Hill (1-1) earned the win after tossing two scoreless frames out of the bullpen.

Reno's Alex Romero collected a hit in both ends of the doubleheader, extending his hitting streak to a franchise-record 12 games.

The series rolls on Sunday afternoon from Spring Mobile Ballpark. The Aces will send Tony Barnette (3-4, 6.12 ERA) to the bump, while the Bees turn to Brad Knox (3-2, 5.60 ERA). First pitch is set for 1:05 p.m. and the action can be heard live on Fox Sports Radio 1450 AM.

The Aces return home on June 11 for a four-game set with Salt Lake and a three-game series with intrastate rival Las Vegas. June 11 will be a Coors Light Thursday night, with $2 Coors Lights until the fifth inning.