Reno Aces Report (5/29

Aces own two-game lead atop division as they hit road for longest trip of season

Tribune photo by John Byrne – Ketel Marte celebrates with Christian Walker after his go-ahead and eventually game-winning two-run home run in the bottom of the sixth inning in Sunday’s 4-1 win over Las Vegas at Greater Nevada Field. Not known for his pop, it was Marte’s third home run of the series. He now has four on the season.

Ketel Marte has four home runs in 231 at bats this year. Three of those have come in the last four games, the final of which lifted Reno to a 4-1 win over Las Vegas on Sunday afternoon at Greater Nevada Field.

The win finished up a 5-3 homestand and now the Aces hit the road for the longest road trip of the season. Reno will play 11 straight away from Greater Nevada Field, starting with four at Tacoma.

The Aces (35-22) own a two-game lead over the Rainiers (32-23) for first place in the Pacific Northern Division. But as good as they’ve been at home this year, where they are 21-11, the Rainiers have been even better. Tacoma’s 18-6 mark at home is the best in the Pacific Coast League.

After four at Tacoma, Reno goes to Sacramento for a quick three-game weekend series then heads to Salt Lake for four.

The Aces don’t come home until Saturday, June 17 when they will start another four-game set with Las Vegas, followed by four more with Tacoma.

Last week: 3-3

Overall: 35-22

Home: 21-11

Away: 14-11

Upcoming Schedule (June 5-11)

June 5: AWAY at Tacoma 6:05 p.m.

June 6: AWAY at Tacoma 6:05 p.m.

June 7: AWAY at Tacoma 11:35 a.m.

June 8: AWAY at Tacoma 7:05 p.m.

June 9: AWAY at Sacramento 7:05 p.m.

June 10: AWAY at Sacramento 7:05 p.m.

June 11: AWAY at Sacramento 1:05 p.m.

Notable Moves

-RHP Braden Shipley, 25, was called up to make his second start of the season for the Diamondbacks. Shipley took the ball Sunday in Miami and allowed five runs (four earned) on seven hits over five innings in a 6-5 loss to the Marlins. He took a no decision. Shipley made his 2017 debut exactly one month prior at Washington, uncharacteristically walking six and allowing three runs on five hits over four innings in a 4-2 loss. The Nevada product and 2013 first-round pick was just named Arizona’s Triple-A Pitcher of the Month for May. He went 2-0 in four starts with a 3.67 ERA.

-RHP Zack Godley, 27, was demoted back to Reno after his second stint with the big club this season lasted five starts. With Arizona, Godley has gone 1-1 with a 2.39 ERA over 32.2 innings. He’s struck out 26 and walked nine. Before getting called up in early May, Godley went 2-1 in Reno with a 2.25 ERA over 24 innings.

-RHP Silvino Bracho, 24, was called up to Arizona and sent back to Reno without making an appearance. It was Bracho’s third trip to the show already this year. With the Diamondbacks this year, he’s allowed six runs (five earned) on four hits (two home runs) in just 2.1 innings. He’s done a better job dodging bats in Reno, where he compiled a 1.62 ERA in 16.2 innings while fanning 29 and walking just six.

Who’s hot?

Ketel Marte. As one of the pieces in the trade that sent Jean Segura and Mitch Haniger to Seattle, the 23-year-old shortstop continues to torch baseballs. Entering Sunday’s homestand finale against Las Vegas, Marte led the entire Pacific Coast League in average (.379) and hits (86), was second in runs (47), doubles (17), triples (6), total bases (124), and at bats (227), and fourth in on-base percentage (.417).

Who’s not?

Saturday game threes. Despite the record disparities between Reno and Las Vegas, Saturday night’s contest (a 9-5 Reno loss) made up the perfect concoction for the Aces to slip up. It was the third game of the series and Reno is now 7-8 in game three – its only game of the series with a losing record. The Aces are also 3-6 playing on Saturday. They are at least three games above .500 on every other day of the week, except for Wednesdays, when they are 2-3.

Pacific Coast League Standings

Pacific Northern

Reno Aces (ARI) 35-22

Tacoma Rainiers (SEA) 32-23

Fresno Grizzlies (HOU) 26-31

Sacramento River Cats (SF) 22-33

Pacific Southern

Salt Lake Bees (LAA) 31-26

Albuquerque Isotopes (COL) 28-28

El Paso Chihuahuas (SD) 26-31

Las Vegas 51s (NYM) 23-34

American Northern

Colorado Springs Sky Sox (MIL) 32-21

Oklahoma City Dodgers (LAD) 28-25

Omaha Storm Chasers (KC) 28-26

Iowa Cubs (CHC) 24-31

American Southern

Memphis Redbirds (STL) 34-22

Nashville Sounds (OAK) 29-25

Round Rock Express (TEX) 27-39

New Orleans Baby Cakes (MIA) 19-36

*All stats and standings are as of Sunday, June 4.

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