Chihuahuas avenge opening loss to Reno, beat the Aces 8-6
RENO, Nev. – The El Paso Chihuahuas overcame an early four-run deficit and beat the Reno Aces 8-6 Friday to grab their first win of the season. Starter Daniel McCutchen pitched five innings and got the win.
Reno scored four runs on five hits in the bottom of the first to take their second early lead in as many nights, after pushing ahead 5-0 on Thursday.
The Chihuahuas came back with six runs in the top of the third to go ahead for the first time in 2016. The key play in the rally came when Hunter Renfroe hit a bases loaded single to Reno left fielder Peter O’Brien, who overran the ball, allowing three runs to score. James Loney and Austin Hedges chipped in with RBI singles later in the third. The Aces made three errors in the inning, leading to five unearned runs.
Carlos Asuaje hit a two-run homer beyond the right field bullpen in the fourth, El Paso’s first longball of the season. Leonel Campos and Michael Kirkman combined for three scoreless relief innings late and Cory Mazzoni pitched a 1-2-3 bottom of the ninth for his first save of the year.
Gameday Box Score: http://www.milb.com/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2016_04_08_elpaaa_renaaa_1&mode=gameday
Next Game: Saturday at Reno, 7:35 p.m. El Paso RHP Carlos Pimentel (0-0, -.–) vs. Reno RHP Braden Shipley (0-0, -.–). Game coverage begins at 7:30 p.m. on 600 ESPN El Paso and www.epchihuahuas.com.
