Aces clinch another series, sit one back of PCL-leading Tacoma
Ildemaro Vargas’ bases-loaded walk-off single in the bottom of the ninth inning Sunday afternoon at Greater Nevada Field not only secured a wild 11-10 comeback win over Fresno, but locked Reno into another winning week.
The Aces won four of six games and have now claimed three of the last five series with a pair of four-game splits. They are one game back of Tacoma, which leads the Pacific Northern Division. The Rainiers (14-8) have the best record in the Pacific Coast League.
Sunday’s win was Reno’s first of the season when trailing through seven innings. Reno trailed 10-8 going to the eighth when right fielder Oswaldo Arcia knotted it 10 apiece with a two-run triple. The Aces entered 0-8 when faced with a deficit after seven frames.
It was also their first win when tied going to the ninth. The Aces were 0-2 when deadlocked going to the ninth.
Reno and Fresno end their five-game series Monday night then Salt Lake comes to Greater Nevada Field for four games. The Bees lost their third straight on Sunday.
A quick four-game road trip to last-place Sacramento follows the Salt Lake series before Arizona’s Triple-A affiliate come back to Reno for an eight-game homestand against New Orleans and Round Rock.
Last week: 4-2
Overall: 14-10
Home: 7-4
Away: 7-6
Upcoming Schedule (May 1-8)
May 1: HOME vs Fresno 6:35 p.m.
May 2: HOME vs Salt Lake 6:35 p.m.
May 3: HOME vs Salt Lake 6:35 p.m.
May 4: HOME vs Salt Lake 11:35 a.m.
May 5: HOME vs Salt Lake 6:35 p.m.
May 6: AWAY at Sacramento 7:05 p.m.
May 7: AWAY at Sacramento 1:05 p.m.
May 8: AWAY at Sacramento 7:05 p.m.
Notable Moves
-Starting pitcher Joel Payamps, 23, was transferred from Reno to A-Advanced Visalia. Payamps made his Triple-A debut last Monday and picked up the win, throwing six scoreless in a 12-1 rout at El Paso. He gave up six hits, struck out three, and walked two.
-RHP Grant Sides, 27, was promoted from Double-A Jackson to Reno. He appeared in both games against Fresno on Friday (8-7 win) and Saturday (6-2 loss). The 2011 12th round draft pick by Cleveland threw two total innings, allowing five runs on six hits, and took the loss on Saturday. Sides is in the seventh year of his professional career and still looking to make his big-league debut.
-LHP T.J. McFarland, 27, was called up by Arizona and threw a scoreless inning in Friday’s 3-1 loss to Colorado. It was his first appearance with the Diamondbacks after appearing in 122 games for the Orioles from 2013-16. McFarland has thrown in seven games for the Aces and has not allowed a run in 11 innings. He’s struck out nine, walked four, and given up just six hits.
Who’s hot?
Ketel Marte. The Aces’ 23-year-old shortstop finished the month of April with 39 hits – the most at any level of professional baseball. Marte, who likely won’t be in Reno much longer (many expected him to start the season in Arizona), finished the month batting .398.
Who’s not?
-April 30. Before Sunday’s 11-10 walk-off win over Fresno, the Aces had lost five straight on April 30. Their only two previous wins ever on the date came in 2009 (vs. Portland) and 2010 (vs. Tacoma).
Pacific Coast League Standings
Pacific Northern
Tacoma Rainiers (SEA) 14-8
Reno Aces (ARI) 14-10
Fresno Grizzlies (HOU) 10-14
Sacramento River Cats (SF) 7-16
Pacific Southern
Salt Lake Bees (LAA) 14-10
Las Vegas 51s (NYM) 12-12
Albuquerque Isotopes (COL) 12-12
El Paso Chihuahuas (SD) 11-12
American Northern
Colorado Springs Sky Sox (MIL) 13-6
Oklahoma City Dodgers (LAD) 12-9
Omaha Storm Chasers (KC) 11-10
Iowa Cubs (CHC) 10-12
American Southern
Memphis Redbirds (STL) 13-11
Round Rock Express (TEX) 11-13
Nashville Sounds (OAK) 9-11
New Orleans Baby Cakes (MIA) 8-15
*All stats and standings are as of Sunday, April 30.
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