Fresno and Sacramento both are in the middle of winning streaks that have the Aces smelling last place.
The Grizzlies (72-48) have won five straight, nine of their last 10 and own a 15-game lead over the Aces. The River Cats (59-63) are winners of seven straight and have moved out of last place into second, one game ahead of Reno (57-63) and two games ahead of now last-place Tacoma (57-65).
Reno has just 24 games left to make any sort of run to get clear of last place.
Part of the problem of late for the Aces, losers of eight of their last 13, has been the inability to make up ground on the road. Six of those losses came away from Aces Ballpark. Reno’s 24-37 road record is easily the worst in the Pacific Northern Division and the second worst in the entire Pacific Coast League.
The recent lack of power in the Aces’ lineup isn’t doing the team’s win-loss any favors. Power hitter Jamie Romak was called up to Arizona last weekend and the team has hit just two long balls since.
Reno is on the road this week before returning home Sunday to start an eight-game homestand with four against Nashville and four against Memphis.
Last week: 2-3
Overall: 57-63
At Home: 33-26
On the Road: 24-37
Weekly schedule (Aug. 18-Aug. 24)
Aug. 18: AWAY @ Colorado Springs, 5:35 p.m.
Aug. 19: AWAY @ Oklahoma City, 5:05 p.m.
Aug. 20: AWAY @ Oklahoma City, 5:05 p.m.
Aug. 21: AWAY @ Oklahoma City, 5:05 p.m.
Aug. 22: AWAY @ Oklahoma City, 5:05 p.m.
Aug. 23: HOME vs. Nashville, 7:05 p.m.
*Kids Eat Free
Aug. 24: HOME vs. Nashville, 7:05 p.m.
*Dollar Menu Monday
Notable moves
-Right-handed pitcher A.J. Schugel (1-6, 12.33 ERA) was reinstated from the designated list to start in Saturday’s 7-1 loss at Colorado Springs. Schugel allowed one run on one hit over three innings in the loss before the bullpen was smacked around.
-Right-handed pitcher Gabriel Arias was sent to Double-A Mobile. Arias (5-4, 6.22 ERA with the Aces) was replaced by Blayne Weller (5.40 ERA in 3 1/3 innings) who was promoted to Reno from Mobile.
-Right-handed pitcher Matt Stites (1-1, 4.09 ERA) was placed on the seven-day DL.
-Right-handed pitcher Kevin Vance was transferred to Reno from Advanced-A Visalia. Vance has allowed two runs on four hits in three innings of work for the Aces.
Who’s hot?
Nick Evans. The Aces’ first baseman has hit safely in each of his last 16 games, batting .397 (25-for-63) over that span. It is the longest hitting streak by an Aces player this season. His career-high hitting streak is 19 games with Triple-A Buffalo in 2011.
Who’s not?
Big bats. The Aces have not hit a long ball since a loss at Tacoma on Aug. 9. The five-game drought is the longest by the team this summer.
Pacific Coast League Standings
Pacific Northern
Fresno Grizzlies (HOU) 72-48
Sacramento River Cats (SF) 59-63
Reno Aces (ARI) 57-63
Tacoma Rainiers (SEA) 57-65
Pacific Southern
Las Vegas 51s (NYM) 66-55
El Paso Chihuahuas (SD) 64-57
Albuquerque Isotopes (COL) 53-69
Salt Lake Bees (LAA) 49-73
American Northern
Oklahoma City Dodgers (LAD) 73-48
Iowa Cubs (CHC) 66-54
Omaha Storm Chasers (KC) 67-55
Colorado Springs Sky Sox (MIL) 51-69
American Southern
Round Rock Express (TEX) 68-54
Memphis Redbirds (STL) 62-50
Nashville Sounds (OAK) 55-67
New Orleans Zephyrs (MIA) 51-70
*All statistics and records are through Sunday, Aug. 16