Omaha edges Aces, avoids series sweep

OMAHA, Neb.- Reno scored three times in the eighth to take a three-run lead, but Omaha answered with four in the home half of the frame to take down the Aces 7-6 in the series finale Wednesday afternoon at Rosenblatt Stadium.

After an off-day on Thursday, the Aces will return home to Reno on Friday for an eight-game homestand, beginning with a four-game set against the Round Rock Express, Triple-A Affiliate of the Houston Astros. In the opener, RHP Hector Ambriz (5-8, 5.92 ERA) takes the ball for Reno, while the Express counter with RHP Jose Capellan (2-9, 7.14 ERA). First pitch from Aces Ballpark is set for 7:05 p.m. PT.

Reno trailed 3-1 early before Luke Carlin hit a two-run homer in the sixth inning to tie the score. The game stayed that way until the eighth when Reno took its first lead of the game. Cole Gillespie knocked in two runs with a single through the left side, then Abraham Nunez added a sacrifice fly to put Reno ahead 6-3.

In the bottom of the eighth, though, Omaha struck back in a big way. JR House hit a two-run, pinch-hit double, then Cory Aldridge tripled to right field, bring home the tying and go-ahead runs. Reno went down quietly in the ninth, as the O-Royals avoided a series sweep.

Scott Maine (0-2) was pinned with the loss on Wednesday, after he was responsible for Omaha's final two runs in the eighth inning. Reno starter Seth Etherton took a no decision, allowing three runs on three hits over six innings of work. Etherton struck out seven and walked just one.

Wednesday's victory went to O-Royals reliever Greg Holland (1-1), who recorded the final three outs of the eighth inning. Victor Marte dealt a 1-2-3 ninth to pick up the save.

Gillespie finished his afternoon 2-for-3 with three runs driven in. Brandon Allen and Chris Roberson each chipped in two hits for the Aces.