The Reno Aces opened their 2013 season Thursday night with a 5-4 victory over the Colorado Springs Sky Sox in Colorado Springs.
Third baseman Matt Davidson hit a two-run home run in the top of the ninth inning to break a 3-3 tie. Evan Marshall allowed an unearned run in the bottom of the ninth and earned the save.
Mark Teahen opened the Aces' ninth inning by reaching base on an error by Sky Sox second baseman Charlie Culberson. Davidson then hit his first home run of the season with two outs for the 5-3 lead.
The 22-year-old Davidson, from Yucaipa, Calif., was a first-round draft pick by the Diamondbacks in 2009. He hit 23 home runs and drove in 76 runs for Double-A Mobile last year. In 2011 at Single-A Visalia, he hit 20 home runs and drove in 106 ruins.
The Aces, who won the Triple-A championship in 2012, took a 3-0 lead with three runs in the top of the fourth inning. Teahen walked with one out and Davidson singled with two outs to start the rally. Brad Snyder then doubled home Teahen and Davidson for a 2-0 lead. Snyder then stole third and came around to score on a throwing error by Colorado Springs catcher Lars Davis for a 3-0 lead.
Colorado Springs evened the game at 3-3 with three runs in the bottom of the fourth off Aces pitcher Randall Delgado. Delgado lasted 4.2 innings and allowed four hits and three runs while striking out four.
The Aces used five pitchers in the victory. Delgado was followed, in order, by Eury De La Rosa (1.1 innings), Garrett Mock ( one inning), Joe Patterson (one inning) and Marshall. Patterson, who pitched a scoreless eighth inning, earned the victory.
The Aces and Sky Sox will continue their Pacific Coast League series Friday. The Aces open their home season at Aces Ballpark in Reno on April 12.
