RENO – Pedro Ciriaco’s eighth-inning grand slam brought the Aces back within striking distance, but two five-run frames by Tacoma proved to be too much in the Rainiers’ 11-7 win over Reno on Thursday night at Aces Ballpark.

The Rainiers jumped on Aces’ starter Cesar Valdez for five runs in the second inning, putting Reno in an early hole from which it never recovered. Reno battled back, putting up two in the third and one in the fourth before Tacoma plated five more in the seventh.

The Aces rallied in the eighth, as Ciriaco cleared the bases with a grand slam to left. Reno had the tying run on deck, but couldn’t close the gap in the series-opening defeat.

Valdez (2-6) took the loss for Reno, despite keeping the Rainiers off the scoreboard after the second. Valdez struck out four and walked five in five innings of work.

Tacoma starter Ian Snell (3-1) earned the victory, holding the Aces to three earned runs over five innings, while striking out five and walking two. Lavale Speigner thwarted the Aces’ eighth-inning rally and tossed a perfect ninth to earn his ninth save of the season.

Ciriaco finished with three hits and four RBI, while Jeff Bailey and John Hester each tripled for the Aces, who dropped their ninth straight overall and fifth straight at Aces Ballpark.

Reno and Tacoma square off again Friday night, with the Aces sending RHP Kevin Mulvey (3-6, 5.21 ERA) to the hill against LHP Ryan Feierabend (2-2, 5.05 ERA). First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m.