Reno starter Cesar Valdez and the Aces bullpen held the New Orleans bats at bay Sunday afternoon, as the Aces took the series finale 10-2 in front of 6,193 fans at Aces Ballpark.

Reno jumped on top early with three runs in the home half of the first inning. Brandon Watson led off with a ground-rule double and scored on an Alex Romero double later in the inning. Luke Carlin added a two-run homer to put the Aces on top for good, en route to their third-straight victory.

Valdez (2-4) was strong throughout the day, allowing only four hits and two runs for his first win since April 13. He struck out five and walked only two in six innings of work. Jose Marte and Abe Woody combined for three scoreless innings of relief.

Daniel Barone (L, 2-5) took the loss for the Zs, allowing three runs in four innings of work.

Abraham Nunez pitched in with three hits, and Josh Whitesell contributed two hits and two RBI to raise his team-leading batting average to .343.

With the win, the Aces earn their first series victory since the May 4-7 series at Sacramento. They open a four-game series at home against the Oklahoma City RedHawks Monday night. Reno sends RHP Bryan Augenstein (0-0, no ERA) to the mound to oppose Oklahoma City's RHP Doug Mathis (3-2, 3.28 ERA). First pitch is set for 6:05 p.m. PT.