COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – John Hester hit a seventh-inning, game-tying home run, but Colorado Springs answered with two late runs to beat the Aces 9-7 Friday night at Security Service Field.

After trailing 3-0 heading into the fourth, the Aces scored two runs in three-consecutive innings before Hester’s blast tied the game in the seventh. Jeff Bailey got Reno on the board with a two-run double in the fourth, and the Aces tacked on two more in the fifth and sixth. The Sky Sox answered with four runs in the fifth and two more in the seventh to take a late lead and held on to take the series opener.

Jason Urquidez (3-4) took the loss in relief of Aces’ starter Bryan Augenstein, who allowed seven runs and 11 hits over five innings of work.

Sky Sox starter Josh Muecke did not figure in the decision, giving up six earned runs in five innings. Franklin Morales (1-0) earned the win, despite allowing the game-tying home run to Hester. Matt Reynolds held the Aces off the board over the final two frames to earn his fourth save.

Hester finished with two hits and an RBI, while Bailey added two hits and drove in two. Yunesky Sanchez extended his hitting streak to 14 games with a ninth-inning pinch-hit single.

The two teams square off in a doubleheader Saturday, with both games slated for seven innings.