RENO - Albuquerque's pitching was too much for Reno again Thursday night, as 2009 Reno Ace Seth Etherton pitched the 'Topes to an 8-0 victory over the Aces in the series finale at Isotopes Park.
The 33-year-old righty, who spent the entire 2009 season with Reno, held the Aces offense in check, striking out 11 and walking none over seven innings of work. Reno managed just four singles in a game that they trailed from the beginning. Albuquerque put up five runs in the first inning and coasted to its third victory in four games over the Aces.
Bryan Augenstein (2-6) was tagged with the loss for Reno after allowing eight earned runs in five innings of work. Jose Marte and Daniel Stange held the 'Topes scoreless over the final three frames, but the Aces offense could not mount a late-inning comeback.
Etherton (1-0), pitching in just his third game of the season, was brilliant against his former mates. The veteran tossed 72 of his 106 pitches for strikes and did not allow an Aces baserunner past first base in seven innings of work.
The Aces return home for a Memorial Day weekend four-game set with the Sacramento River Cats. tonight, the Aces send RHP Kevin Mulvey (0-3, 4.67 ERA) to the mound against Sacramento RHP Clay Mortensen (5-2, 4.88 ERA). First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m.