Don’t look now, but here come the Aces.
Reno (29-27) is playing its best ball of the season and sits two games over .500 for the first time since it was 3-1. After winning three of the first four games this season, Reno dropped nine of the next 11 and plummeted to 5-10.
Phil Nevin’s squad would prefer not to have a similar setback this time around. It will have to fight off a similar slump on the road.
After tomorrow morning’s home stand finale against Salt Lake (11:35 a.m.), the Aces will travel on Wednesday then start a 12-game road trip (matching the longest of the season). The trip officially starts Thursday in Tacoma with a four-game set against the first-place Rainiers. Reno will then go to Las Vegas and Albuquerque for a pair of four-game sets before finally coming back to Greater Nevada Field on Tuesday, June 21 against Las Vegas.
Reno was tied for the worst road record in the Pacific Coast League last year (30-42) and is on a similar pace this summer (12-15).
The Aces are yet to play the Rainiers this season and just finished thier first series of the season against the 51s over the weekend, taking three of four at Greater Nevada Field.
Albuquerque has been a problem for Reno this year, topping the Aces in nine of 12 meetings. Fortunately for the Aces, they won’t see the Isotopes again this season after the four games in New Mexico – barring a first-round playoff matchup.
And oh yeah, former San Francisco great Tim Lincecum is throwing for Salt Lake on Tuesday morning in the final game of the Aces’ homes stand.
Last week: 5-2
Overall: 29-27
Home: 17-12
Away: 12-15
Upcoming Schedule (June 6-13)
June 6: HOME vs Salt Lake 7:05 p.m.
June 7: HOME vs Salt Lake 11:35 a.m.
June 8: OFF
June 9: AWAY @ Tacoma 7:05 p.m.
June 10: AWAY @ Tacoma 7:05 p.m.
June 11: AWAY @ Tacoma 5:05 p.m.
June 12: AWAY @ Tacoma 1:35 p.m.
June 13: AWAY @ Las Vegas 7:05 p.m.
Notable moves
-OF David Peralta, 28, was added to the Aces lineup on a rehab assignment. Peralta was hitting .260 with three home runs 12 RBIs an every-day player for Arizona before a wrist injury sent him to the disabled list on May 15. His stay in Reno is anticipated to be a short one.
-C Brett Hayes, 32, was traded to the Chicago White Sox for cash considerations. Hayes, one of two former Wolf Pack players on the roster (Braden Shipley) was hitting .161 with four RBIs in 18 games this season. He last appeared in the big leagues last year, playing 14 games with Cleveland. The trade figures to leave more work for C Tuffy Gosewisch, 32.
-OF Matt McPhearson, 21, was transferred from Reno to Single-A Kane County. McPherson appeared in three games with the Aces and stole one base in his first appearance above Single-A ball.
Who’s hot?
-Peter O’Brien. In his last seven games, one of the Diamondbacks’ top prospects has gone 14-for-32 with four home runs, 19 RBIs and scored eight times. He raised his batting average from .304 to .325. His 16 home runs are the most in the Pacific Coast League.
Who’s not?
-Steve Hathaway. Reno’s reliever came on with one out in the top of the ninth of Thursday’s home contest against Las Vegas. The Aces led 7-4 but the 51s had runners on the corners. Hathaway walked the next batter to load the bases then got one out away with a punch out. A two-run single and two-run double in consecutive at bats pushed the 51s in front 8-7. Reno rallied in the bottom of the ninth to force extras before falling 9-8 in 10. The loss prevented a four-game sweep of Las Vegas.
Pacific Coast League Standings
Pacific Northern
Tacoma Rainiers (SEA) 33-23
Reno Aces (ARI) 29-27
Fresno Grizzlies (HOU) 24-31
Sacramento River Cats (SF) 23-35
Pacific Southern
El Paso Chihuahuas (SD) 34-22
Las Vegas 51s (NYM) 30-26
Salt Lake Bees (LAA) 26-29
Albuquerque Isotopes (COL) 25-32
American Northern
Iowa Cubs (CHC) 28-26
Oklahoma City Dodgers (LAD) 27-26
Omaha Storm Chasers (KC) 27-28
Colorado Springs Sky Sox (MIL) 25-27
American Southern
Nashville Sounds (OAK) 34-22
Round Rock Express (TEX) 29-25
New Orleans Zephyrs (MIA) 25-30
Memphis Redbirds (STL) 22-32
*All stats and standings are as of Sunday, June 5.
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