Aces' offense sputters in loss to Portland

PORTLAND, Ore. - Kevin Mulvey dealt a quality start and kept the Aces in the ballgame, but Reno's offense never ignited Saturday night in a 5-2 loss to the Portland Beavers at PGE Park.

Mulvey (0-2), making his first start since being optioned back to Reno by the Diamondbacks, allowed three runs on four hits over six innings of work. The right-hander struck out seven and walked three.

Mulvey exited the game with Reno trailing 3-2, and the Beavers would tack-on two more insurance runs in the bottom half of the seventh inning off Jose Marte to cruise to the 5-2 victory and even the series at a game apiece.

Trailing 1-0 early, Reno jumped on the scoreboard for the first time in the fourth inning on Saturday. Ryan Roberts led-off the inning with a double, advanced to third on a groundout and scored on a single through the left side by Ed Rogers.

Later, the Aces tried to claw back with one more run in the seventh. This time around, Sean Coughlin doubled and was chased home by a Pedro Ciriaco double two batters later. At the time, that would cut the deficit to just a run. But Reno would get no closer.

The series continues at 2:05 p.m. today. All the action can be heard live on Fox Sports Radio 1450 AM.

The Aces return home at 6:05 p.m. Tuesday. Tickets are available by calling the Reno Aces box office at 775-334-7000 or by visiting RenoAces.com.