Last week was supposed to be the week. The script was practically already written.
The Aces returned home scorching hot, winning nine of 12 games at Tacoma, Las Vegas and Albuquerque, and were going to surge into the Pacific Northern Division lead.
Baseball is its own game. It rarely listens to outside influences. After drawing even with Tacoma for first place, Reno proceeded lose five of the first six games back at Greater Nevada Field. It would have been six of the first seven if not for a four-run rally in the last inning of Sunday’s doubleheader nightcap against El Paso, ending with a Gabby Guerrero two-run, walk-off home run.
Guerrero’s first home run since getting brought up to Reno earlier in the week gave the Aces a 6-4 win.
The difficult week was only magnified by Tacoma wining four straight at one point. The Rainiers lead the Aces by 2.5 games.
Reno wraps up the nine-game home stand this afternoon against El Paso at 1:05 p.m. then has a travel day Wednesday before starting a quick four-game trip at El Paso on Thursday. The Aces return to Greater Nevada Field on the Fourth of July for a 6:35 p.m. game against first-place Tacoma – starting a three-game set.
Last week: 2-5
Overall: 41-36
Home: 20-18
Away: 21-18
Upcoming Schedule (June 27-July 4)
June 27: HOME vs El Paso 7:05 p.m.
June 28: HOME vs El Paso 1:05 p.m.
June 29: OFF
June 30: AWAY @ El Paso 6:05 p.m.
July 1: AWAY @ El Paso 6:05 p.m.
July 2: AWAY @ El Paso 6:05 p.m.
July 3: AWAY @ El Paso 6:05 p.m.
July 4: HOME vs Tacoma 6:35 p.m.
Notable moves
-RHP Silvino Brancho, 23, was recalled to the show by Arizona. Brancho has been the anchor in the back of the Aces bullpen this summer, compiling a 3.12 ERA with 14 saves – tied for the second most in the Pacific Coast League. He’s struck out 35 batters and walked just six. He has not been as successful in seven appearances with the Diamondbacks, compiling a 6.43 ERA over just seven innings.
-OF Gabby Guerrero, 22, was called up to Reno from Double-A Mobile to make his Triple-A debut. Guerrero was hitting .252 with seven home runs and 39 RBIs in Mobile.
Who’s hot?
-Kyle Jensen. The Aces’ right fielder is having himself a June to remember. The 28-year-old entered Sunday’s doubleheader with El Paso with 36 RBIs since May ended – that is the highest total in all of professional baseball. Jensen is hitting .307 this year with 14 home runs and 68 RBIs – the most in the Pacific Coast League.
Who’s not?
-Vegas blues. After putting their names squarely in the Pacific Northern Division race with nine-win road trip, the Aces came home last week and dropped three straight games to Las Vegas before salvaging the fourth game of the series on Friday, 9-4. The series loss dropped them two games back of first-place Tacoma.
Pacific Coast League Standings
Pacific Northern
Tacoma Rainiers (SEA) 43-33
Reno Aces (ARI) 41-36
Fresno Grizzlies (HOU) 37-38
Sacramento River Cats (SF) 31-47
Pacific Southern
El Paso Chihuahuas (SD) 45-32
Las Vegas 51s (NYM) 41-35
Salt Lake Bees (LAA) 36-39
Albuquerque Isotopes (COL) 31-46
American Northern
Oklahoma City Dodgers (LAD) 41-34
Colorado Springs Sky Sox (MIL) 36-38
Iowa Cubs (CHC) 36-38
Omaha Storm Chasers (KC) 32-43
American Southern
Nashville Sounds (OAK) 45-33
Round Rock Express (TEX) 40-36
New Orleans Zephyrs (MIA) 36-39
Memphis Redbirds (STL) 36-40
*All stats and standings are as of Sunday, June 26.
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