Reno continues to separate from Tacoma
The Pacific Coast League season has two and-a-half months remaining and the Aces are already trying to run away with the Pacific Northern Division.
Reno outscored Las Vegas 15-3 in the first two games of the current homestand to open up a seven-game lead over Tacoma, their largest advantage of the season. Since taking over first place on May 27, the Aces have won 13 of 20. The Rainiers have dropped 13 of 20.
After the four-game set with Las Vegas (the last place team in the Pacific Southern Division) concludes Tuesday afternoon, an off day precedes a four-game series with second-place Tacoma at Greater Nevada Field, providing an opportunity to create further separation.
Reno owns the best home record in the PCL at 23-11, while Tacoma is one of the worst road teams in the league. The Rainiers are 14-21 away from Cheney Stadium. Only three teams have fewer road victories. Just Las Vegas and Round Rock have more road defeats.
Last week: 4-2
Overall: 44-26
Home: 23-11
Away: 21-15
Upcoming Schedule (June 19-25)
June 19: HOME vs Las Vegas 7:05 p.m.
June 20: HOME vs Las Vegas 1:05 p.m.
June 21: OFF
June 22: HOME vs Tacoma 7:05 p.m.
June 23: HOME vs Tacoma 7:05 p.m.
June 24: HOME vs Tacoma 7:05 p.m.
June 25: HOME vs Tacoma 1:05 p.m.
Notable Moves
-RHP Drew Muren, 28, was promoted from Extended Spring to Reno then placed on the disabled list. The 6-6 hurler has been stellar for the Aces this season, throwing 7.2 shutout innings in four appearances and picking up a save. He’s only allowed three hits, struck out seven, and walked four.
-RHP Tyler Vail, 25, was sent back to Extended Springs just three days after his first promotion to the Triple-A level. He did not appear in a game for the Aces. Vail is a fifth-round draft pick out of Notre Dame by Oakland.
-OF A.J. Pollock, 29, was sent to Reno for a rehab assignment. The Diamondbacks’ centerfielder has missed the last month with a strained groin suffered jogging to first base on a base hit against Pittsburgh on May 14. Pollock was batting .299 with two home runs, 12 doubles, 11 RBIs and 11 stolen bases. He made his 2017 debut for the Aces on Saturday against Las Vegas, going 1-for-2 with a walk in an 8-0 win. Last year, Pollock appeared in four games for Reno, going 8-for-18 (.444) with a home run, four doubles and eight RBIs.
Who’s hot?
Christian Walker. The Aces’ first baseman drove in three runs in Sunday’s 7-3 win over Las Vegas at Greater Nevada Field and leads the entire Pacific Coast League with 68 RBIs for the season. Walker also has 38 extra-base hits, which is tied for the most in the PCL along with teammate Oswaldo Arcia.
Who’s not?
How much do we want to nit pick? Reno owns the best record in the entire Pacific Coast League, maintains a comfortable seven-game lead over Tacoma, boasts the league’s best offense, and has struck out the third most batters. There’s not much going wrong for this team right now.
Pacific Coast League Standings
Pacific Northern
Reno Aces (ARI) 44-26
Tacoma Rainiers (SEA) 36-32
Fresno Grizzlies (HOU) 34-36
Sacramento River Cats (SF) 27-41
Pacific Southern
Salt Lake Bees (LAA) 38-32
El Paso Chihuahuas (SD) 35-35
Albuquerque Isotopes (COL) 34-35
Las Vegas 51s (NYM) 27-43
American Northern
Colorado Springs Sky Sox (MIL) 39-28
Oklahoma City Dodgers (LAD) 37-30
Omaha Storm Chasers (KC) 34-33
Iowa Cubs (CHC) 30-40
American Southern
Memphis Redbirds (STL) 42-27
Nashville Sounds (OAK) 35-31
Round Rock Express (TEX) 34-36
New Orleans Baby Cakes (MIA) 23-44
*All stats and standings are as of Sunday, June 18.
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