Las Vegas drops last game to Reno, heads for Fresno

July 4, 1:22 PMLas Vegas 51s ExaminerJustin Shearin

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The Las Vegas 51’s were unable to make it three in a row against the Reno Aces, Triple-A affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks, and lose the last of the three game series Friday night 3-1. The 51’s, Triple-A affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays, are now 36-and-46 on the season and head out for a nine-game road stretch leading up to the All-Star break.

Reno was able to wrap this game up pretty handily with a two-run third inning and eight hits overall in the game. Aces outfielder Trent Oeltjen went 1-for-5 with a pair of RBIs while second-baseman Rusty Ryal brought in the other run going 1-for-4. Catcher John Hester was also a monster at the plate going 2-for-4 and improving his already stellar .353 batting average. Reno starting right-handed pitcher Billy Buckner was a terror on the mound going six strong innings with seven strikeouts and one earned run off of six hits, and righty Bobby Korecky earned his 13th save of the season.

Things weren’t going as well for the Las Vegas 51’s who only had six hits in the loss. League-leading first-baseman Randy Ruiz added to his totals going 2-for-3 with a double and his 71st RBI of the season, but the rest of the 51’s bats were pretty cold against the pitching power of the Aces. Outfielder Aaron Mathews went 1-for-5 with a strikeout and second-baseman Howie Clark went 1-3 with a strikeout as well. The 51’s pitching wasn’t there as well with the dugout going through three different pitchers by the time the game was over, and starter Fabio Castro earning his fourth loss going four and two-third innings three earned runs off of seven hits and two strikeouts.

Las Vegas now takes to the road for a nine-game trip that starts Saturday against the Fresno Grizzlies, Triple-A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants, for a four game stint before heading back up north against the Aces for a five-game stretch to continue the Silver State Diamond Challenge. Las Vegas lefty Brian Burres will take the mound Saturday night in Fresno against righty Matt Kinney. Remember you can catch all the action live on-line, and I hope that you have a safe-and-sane Independence Day!