The second half has been bittersweet for the Aces.
On one hand, they’ve been winning. A lot. They’ve won nine of 11 games since the all-star break after besting Las Vegas 7-4 on Sunday night in Sin City. Their record has ripened to 55-46.
On the other, they haven’t been able to make up any ground in the Pacific Northern division. Tacoma has also won nine of 11 to start the second half and remains 3.5 games clear of Reno.
The Aces will play 44 games in 44 days to close the 2016 regular season in attempt to catch the Rainiers. Arizona’s Triple-A affiliate starts an eight-game home stand Tuesday night (four against last-place Sacramento, four against Fresno) before a five-game trip to Salt Lake that starts next Wednesday.
Reno has nine games left against Tacoma but won’t see the Mariners’ Triple-A affiliate until August 24 at Greater Nevada Field, starting a five-game set.
Last week: 6-1
Overall: 55-46
Home: 30-21
Away: 25-25
Upcoming Schedule (July 25 – August 1)
July 25: AWAY at Las Vegas 7:05 p.m.
July 26: HOME vs Sacramento 7:05 p.m.
July 27: HOME vs Sacramento 7:05 p.m.
July 28: HOME vs Sacramento 7:05 p.m.
July 29: HOME vs Sacramento 7:05 p.m.
July 30: HOME vs Fresno 7:05 p.m.
July 31: HOME vs Fresno 6:05 p.m.
August 1: HOME vs Fresno 7:05 p.m.
Notable moves
-OF Chris Owings, 24, was reinstated from a Major League rehab assignment. Owings was 11-for-18 (.611) with one home run and six RBIs in five games with the Aces. With the Diamondbacks this season, Owings is hitting .277 in 56 games with two home runs and 19 RBIs.
-RHP John Omahen, 27, was transferred from Double-A Mobile to Reno. Omahen has appeared in four games with the Aces this summer (three starts) and is 0-2 with a 10.91 ERA. On Saturday, he was charged with six runs on nine hits over 3.1 innings in a 7-6 loss at Las Vegas. The defeat snapped Reno’s seven-game winning streak.
-OF Peter O’Brien, 26, was reinstated after serving a one-game suspension for making contact with an umpire arguing a strike three call. O’Brien is hitting .310 with 20 home runs and 63 RBIs in 64 games with the Aces this year.
Who’s hot?
-Mitch Haniger. Haniger has been a Las Vegas killer this season. After going 3-for-4 with two home runs in Sunday’s 7-4 road win, he improved his average against the 51s to .444 (20-for-45), the best mark of all Aces position players. To go along with the high average against Las Vegas, he’s blasted nine home runs with 15 RBIs. His nine home runs are the most by an Aces player in franchise history against any Pacific Coast League opponent. He’s up to 18 home runs in 42 games in an Aces uniform.
Who’s not?
-John Omahen. Reno’s starter on Saturday gave up a third inning grand slam as the Aces went on to fall 7-6 at Las Vegas, snapping a seven-game winning streak. It was already the seventh grand slam allowed by Reno’s staff this year. Last year, Reno gave up four bases-clearing knocks.
Pacific Coast League Standings
Pacific Northern
Tacoma Rainiers (SEA) 58-42
Reno Aces (ARI) 55-46
Fresno Grizzlies (HOU) 53-46
Sacramento River Cats (SF) 46-57
Pacific Southern
El Paso Chihuahuas (SD) 58-44
Las Vegas 51s (NYM) 51-49
Salt Lake Bees (LAA) 47-52
Albuquerque Isotopes (COL) 44-57
American Northern
Oklahoma City Dodgers (LAD) 58-42
Colorado Springs Sky Sox (MIL) 47-51
Omaha Storm Chasers (KC) 44-56
Iowa Cubs (CHC) 43-59
American Southern
Nashville Sounds (OAK) 56-46
Memphis Redbirds (STL) 49-51
Round Rock Express (TEX) 49-53
New Orleans Zephyrs (MIA) 46-53
*All stats and standings are as of Sunday, July 24.
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