METAIRIE, La.—Andy Tracy hit a pair of solo home runs, but Reno fell into an early deficit and couldn’t recover Friday night, dropping a 5-3 decision to the New Orleans Zephyrs in the series opener at Zephyr Field.

New Orleans tapped Aces starter Gaby Hernandez for three runs in the first and two more in the second, creating a lead that the Zephyrs would not relinquish. Reno scored single runs in the fourth, sixth and eighth frames, but the Aces were unable to overcome the early deficit on the way to their fifth-straight loss.

Hernandez (4-5) took the loss, surrendering five runs on seven hits over 5.1 innings of work. A pair of Reno relievers—Brian Stokes and Sam Demel—held the Zephyrs off the scoreboard over the game’s final 2.2 frames.

The win went to New Orleans starter Tom Koehler (9-6), who scattered two runs on four hits with nine strikeouts over six innings. Sandy Rosario came on in the ninth and slammed the door on his second save.

At the plate for Reno, Tracy registered his second multi-homer game of the season and the 11th by an Aces batter in 2011. Cole Gillespie added two hits and an RBI in a six-hit Aces effort.

The Aces and Zephyrs will hook-up again on Saturday. Reno will turn to LHP Wade Miley (3-1, 4.17 ERA), while New Orleans will counter with RHP Chris Sampson (7-0, 3.58 ERA). First pitch from Zephyr Field is set for 4 p.m. PT