Reno Outlasts the Vigilantes, 9-8

After winning four of six on a swing through Washington state, the Vigilantes returned to Saddleback College on Tuesday night and lost to Reno, 9-8.

The Chukars (15-14) won the game in the eighth inning.

Clinging to a 7-8 lead, the Vigilantes (14-15) turned to reliever Kirt Kishita (1-1) for the eighth inning. Reno’s Matt Schwenke popped up and Scott Glasser followed with a single.

Josh Kilner and Gary Hagy walked to load the bases. The Vigilantes brought in John Holman, who walked Todd Takayashi.

Holman gave way to Josh Belousky, whose third-strike wild pitch to Brett Jenkins enabled Kilner to score the go-ahead run.

The Vigilantes’ Brian Grebeck and Brad Gennaro walked in the first inning. Mike Moore doubled down the left-field line to score Grebeck. Alan Burke followed with a chopper to third to score Gennaro, and Moore scored when first baseman Justin Headley, who was trying to get the runner at third, threw the ball into the Vigilante dugout.

Reno’s Jenkins homered in the second, his seventh. Phil Kernan homered in the third to give the Vigilantes a 4-1 lead.

The Vigilantes fell apart in the fifth, giving up four runs while making three errors.

The Vigilantes threatened in the bottom of the ninth. Gennaro singled and Moore and Kernan walked to load the bases for Manny Gagliano, who flied out to end the game.