Reno started its most recent 12-game road swing just 2-5. Road struggles were an issue last year as the Aces were the worst team away from their home park in the Pacific Coast League.
Arizona’s Triple-A affiliate salvaged the trip, however, by taking three of four games at rival Sacramento to finish the 
trip 5-6. One game at Salt Lake last Sunday was rained out so Reno only technically played 11 games on the 12-game trip.
Reno returned to Greater Nevada Field on Saturday and was handed its worst loss in over two years, 17-2, by Iowa, the Cubs Triple-A affiliate. The Aces bounced back on Sunday with a 9-3 win on Sunday.
Due more to Sacramento and Fresno’s recent woes (both are 3-7 in their last 10), the Aces have climbed out of the Pacific Northern cellar and now sit in second place, 4.5 games back of first-place Tacoma.
The four-game series between Reno and Iowa wraps up at 11:35 a.m. leading into an off day. Omaha, the Royal’s Triple-A squad, then rolls into town on Thursday to start another four-game set that will conclude the Aces’ home stand.
They’ll start an eight-game road swing Monday at New Orleans.
Last week: 4-3
Overall: 16-20
Home: 9-8
Away: 7-12
Upcoming Schedule (May 17-23)
May 16: Home vs Iowa 6:35 p.m.
*Kids Eat Free
May 17: HOME vs Iowa 11:35 a.m.
*Two-for-$22 Tuesday
May 18: OFF
May 19: HOME vs Omaha 6:35 p.m.
*Coors Light Thirsty Thursday
May 20: HOME vs Omaha 6:35 p.m.
*Saint Mary’s Fireworks Friday
May 21: HOME vs Omaha 6:35 p.m.
*Archie Bobblehead
May 22: HOME vs Omaha 1:05 p.m.
*Dollar Menu Sunday
May 23: AWAY @ New Orleans 4 p.m.
Notable moves
-RHP Josh Collmenter, 30, is the first player this season to come to Reno on a rehab assignment. Collmenter has been a fixture in Arizona’s bullpen the last five years, going 35-33 with a 3.49 ERA in 637 innings, but started this year with Single-A Advanced Visalia due to a shoulder injury. He wasn’t exactly sharp for the Rawhide, compiling a 10.57 ERA in three starts that lasted a total of 7.2 innings.
-RHP Luke Irvine, 27, was transferred from Reno to Single-A Advanced Visalia. Irvine has been all over the place already this year, spending time in Reno, Double-A Mobile and Visalia. Between the three clubs, Irvine is 4-4 with a 4.50 ERA. Irvine is yet to make is Major League debut.
-RHP Archie Bradley, 23, was called up to the Diamondbacks for the second time this year and allowed four runs on seven hits over six innings to pick up a win at Colorado last Monday. He was sent back to Reno on Saturday. Bradley is 4-1 with a 2.48 ERA for the Aces this season.
Who’s hot?
-Brett Hayes. The 32-year-old catcher who played at Nevada from 2003-05, threw a scoreless final 1.2 innings of relief on Saturday against Iowa. Maybe he should’ve removed the catchers gear earlier. Reno lost 17-2.
Who’s not?
-Pitchers not named Brett Hayes. The 17 runs allowed by Matt Buschmann, Kyle Drabek and Cody Hall in Saturday’s lopsided loss were the most allowed by the Aces in over two years, when Reno was routed 19-2 at Las Vegas on May 1, 2014.
Pacific Coast League Standings
Pacific Northern
Tacoma Rainiers (SEA) 21-16
Reno Aces (ARI) 16-20
Fresno Grizzlies (HOU) 15-21
Sacramento River Cats (SF) 15-23
Pacific Southern
Salt Lake Bees (LAA) 22-15
El Paso Chihuahuas (SD) 19-17
Las Vegas 51s (NYM) 19-17
Albuquerque Isotopes (COL) 20-18
American Northern
Oklahoma City Dodgers (LAD) 21-14
Omaha Storm Chasers (KC) 21-15
Iowa Cubs (CHC) 18-17
Colorado Springs Sky Sox (MIL) 17-18
American Southern
Round Rock Express (TEX) 18-18
Nashville Sounds (OAK) 18-19
New Orleans Zephyrs (MIA) 15-21
Memphis Redbirds (STL) 14-20
*All stats and standings are as of Sunday, May 15.
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