That’s it. Ballgame. Kiss it goodbye. Blouses.
There will not be a 2016 postseason run for the Aces.
Reno was eliminated from the playoffs, and thus giving the Pacific Northern Division title to Tacoma, on Thursday with a 3-1 loss at Sacramento. The Aces had whittled a 6.5 game deficit to 2.5 games last Sunday before losing to Tacoma then dropping three of four to the River Cats.
An inability to take advantage of eight games against last-place Sacramento in the final two weeks of the season was a large reason for the runner-up finish. Reno went 2-6 in those contests. However, a 3-10 start to the month of August put the Arizona Diamondbacks’ Triple-A affiliate in a tough spot.
Of no consolation to Phil Nevin’s team, Reno’s final record (regardless of the outcome in Monday’s season finale in Tacoma) will be the best among the four second-place teams in the Pacific Coast League and is better than Pacific Southern Division champ, El Paso.
Last week: 3-4
Overall: 76-67
Home: 41-31
Away: 35-36
Notable moves
-1B/OF Kyle Jensen, 28, was promoted to Arizona, his first appearance in the major leagues. Jensen was a beast for the Aces this year, setting franchise records with 30 home runs and 120 RBIs. He also hit for average, batting .289. He was the runner-up for the Pacific Coast League MVP. Jensen made his major league debut on Saturday in Colorado, lining out to right in an eighth inning pinch hit at bat.
-OF Socrates Brito, 23, was recalled by Arizona. Brito has been on the move a lot this summer, playing at four different levels within the Diamondbacks organization, including the bigs. He appeared in 73 games for the Aces, batting .294 with six home runs, 10 doubles, eight triples and 39 RBIs. He’s played in 20 games for the Diamondbacks, going 11-for-58 (.190) with two home runs and five RBIs.
Who’s hot?
-The bullpen. Reno’s relief corp pitched 7.1 innings on Saturday in Tacoma, allowing just two runs in a 7-2 win. Phil Nevin had to go to the bullpen early after starter Vicente Campos left with an arm injury. It was the 11th time Reno’s bullpen had go to at least six innings, allowing three or fewer runs in all but one of those occasions.
Who’s not?
-The Aces. Against the River Cats. The San Francisco Giants’ Triple-A affiliate went 2-6 against Reno in the final two weeks of the season. Sacramento eliminated Reno from the postseason with a 3-1 win on Thursday.
Pacific Coast League Standings
Pacific Northern
Tacoma Rainiers (SEA) 80-62
Reno Aces (ARI) 76-67
Fresno Grizzlies (HOU) 71-70
Sacramento River Cats (SF) 69-73
Pacific Southern
El Paso Chihuahuas (SD) 73-68
Albuquerque Isotopes (COL) 69-72
Las Vegas 51s (NYM) 69-73
Salt Lake Bees (LAA) 62-78
American Northern
Oklahoma City Dodgers (LAD) 79-60
Colorado Springs Sky Sox (MIL) 67-70
Iowa Cubs (CHC) 66-76
Omaha Storm Chasers (KC) 58-80
American Southern
Nashville Sounds (OAK) 83-58
Round Rock Express (TEX) 71-70
New Orleans Zephyrs (MIA) 68-70
Memphis Redbirds (STL) 63-77
*All stats and standings are as of Sunday, September 4.
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