Reno holds on to win Game 2 of PCL Championship

The Reno Aces turned the table on the Omaha Storm Chasers in Game 2 of the Pacific Coast League Championship Series Wednesday night, scoring all four of their runs in the second inning, en route to a 4-2 win to even the best-of-five series, 1-1.

Reno starting pitcher, Bradin Hagens, was in complete control on the mound, giving up just one earned run on five hits while striking out four over six innings. He picked up the win.

Omaha starter John Lamb didn't fare so well. He struggled with his command, giving up four earned runs on three walks and two hits in the second inning. He didn't see the third inning. Reno centerfielder Mike Freeman drove in Reno's first two runs with a two-out single and shortstop Nick Ahmed followed him with a two-run double off the left field wall.

Omaha did everything they could to claw their way back into the game, picking up a run in the sixth inning on an RBI single by Pedro Ciriaco and another run in the eighth when Paul Janish doubled in Brian Bocock. But after Whit Merrifield followed Janish with a single, he was called out for runner's interference on a ground ball double play to second. Janish had scored on the play, but he had to go back to third base and the Chasers stranded him there.

Omaha went 1-2-3 in the ninth.

Tomorrow is a travel day.

Game 3 will be played Friday in Omaha at 7:05 pm, Central. Reno is scheduled to send LHP Andrew Chafin (5-6, 5.34 ERA) to the mound against RHP Sugar Ray Marimon (5-4, 3.56 ERA) for Omaha.

*****

A funny story materialized before the game. Omaha radio broadcaster Brett Pollock stepped out of the broadcast booth to take a little walk to collect his thoughts. A Reno usher, who didn't know who he was, offered him an Aces rally towel. Pollock politely declined, explaining he was a broadcaster for the opposing team. But she caught him when he came back, asking him to take a towel anyway. He did, but he told the fans back in Omaha that he had no plans to wave it.