Aces push two games ahead of Grizzlies with just 14 regular-season games remaining
The Aces did something on Sunday afternoon they haven’t done much of this year: Win after trailing through seven innings.
Reno was staring at a 7-5 deficit going to the eighth inning against Fresno at Greater Nevada Field then scored six times to steal an 11-8 victory. Arizona’s Triple-A affiliate had dropped 44 of 51 games when down at least a run going to the eighth frame.
Now Reno has a chance to do something for the first time since July 15: Own a three-game lead for first place in the Pacific Northern division.
The Aces jumped two games up on the Grizzlies on Sunday and can push the gap to three games tonight before the home stand wraps up on Tuesday night.
An off day on Wednesday, the last of the season, gives way to an eight-game road trip, also the last of the season, with four each at Las Vegas and Albuquerque – the third- and fourth-place teams in the American Southern division. Reno will end the regular season the first four days of September at Greater Nevada Field against Albuquerque
Last week: 4-3
Overall: 72-56
Home: 38-27
Away: 34-29
Upcoming Schedule (August 21-27)
August 21: HOME vs Fresno 7:05 p.m.
August 22: HOME vs Fresno 7:05 p.m.
August 23: OFF
August 24: AWAY at Las Vegas 7:05 p.m.
August 25: AWAY at Las Vegas 7:05 p.m.
August 26: AWAY at Las Vegas 7:05 p.m.
August 27: AWAY at Las Vegas 7:05 p.m.
Notable Moves
-RHP Jimmie Sherfy, 25, was called up to Arizona for the first time in his career on Sunday and made his Major Debut the same day. He threw a 1-2-3 seventh inning with two strikeouts in a 12-5 loss at Minnesota. In Reno, Sherfy has been one of the best relievers in the entire Pacific Coast League. He’s 2-1 with a 3.33 ERA, 58 strikeouts, 10 walks and the second-most saves in the PCL (17) in 20 opportunities.
-RHP Silvino Bracho, 25, was recalled by Arizona for the seventh time this season. He struck out three and allowed two hits in two scoreless innings during last Tuesday’s 9-4 home loss to Houston. Anthony Banda started that game. The 2011 free agent signee is 3-2 with a 4.60 ERA over 31.1 innings in Reno this summer. He’s struck out 45 batters and walked 16. Following last Tuesday’s appearance against Houston, he had a 4.38 ERA in Arizona over 12.1 innings. He had 14 strikeouts and just three walks. Unsurprisingly, Bracho was sent back to Reno on Friday.
-RHP Jake Barrett, 26, was optioned to Reno from Arizona. The third-round pick in 2012 is 1-0 with a 4.02 ERA over 15.2 innings with the Diamondbacks this season. After throwing a scoreless inning in Thursday’s 7-4 loss to Sacramento at Greater Nevada Field, his ERA with the Aces sat at 5.40. He’d thrown 20.0 innings in 19 appearances.
-RHP Ivan Pineyro, 25, was transferred to Reno from Double-A Jackson and got the start on Thursday against Sacramento at Greater Nevada Field. Pineyro went six innings, allowing five runs on eight hits and absorbed the loss in a 7-4 ballgame. He’s now 0-2 with a 9.82 ERA in 14.2 innings with the Aces (four appearances, two starts). Opponents are hitting .338 off him. It’s been another story for Pineyro in Jackson, where he is 8-1 with a 3.39 ERA in 71.2 innings. He was sent back to Jackson on Friday.
Who’s hot?
Christian Walker. Reno’s slugging first baseman broke the franchise record with his 31st home run in Saturday’s 4-1 win over Fresno at Greater Nevada Field. He eclipsed the record that stood for just one year. Kyle Jensen hit 30 a season ago. Walker added to his total with a two-run shot in Sunday’s 11-8 comeback win over the Grizzlies. He’s also chasing the franchise record for RBIs in a season. Walker has 111, nine back of the mark to beat, also set by Jensen last year.
Who’s not?
Aaron Laffey. The 32-year-old southpaw didn’t make it out of the third inning on Sunday against Fresno, allowing five runs on five hits in just 2.1 innings of work. It was his second-straight start failing to get even to the middle of the ballgame. He threw just three innings, allowing three runs on seven hits almost three weeks ago against Memphis. Fortunately for him, his offense put up a combined 21 runs in the two games and picked up a pair of victories.
Pacific Coast League Standings
Pacific Northern
Reno Aces (ARI) 72-56
Fresno Grizzlies (HOU) 70-58
Tacoma Rainiers (SEA) 62-66
Sacramento River Cats (SF) 55-72
Pacific Southern
Salt Lake Bees (LAA) 64-64
El Paso Chihuahuas (SD) 64-64
Albuquerque Isotopes (COL) 62-65
Las Vegas 51s (NYM) 51-77
American Northern
Colorado Springs Sky Sox (MIL) 74-51
Oklahoma City Dodgers (LAD) 66-61
Iowa Cubs (CHC) 63-64
Omaha Storm Chasers (KC) 62-66
American Southern
Memphis Redbirds (STL) 83-45
Nashville Sounds (OAK) 60-67
Round Rock Express (TEX) 58-67
New Orleans Baby Cakes (MIA) 51-74
*All stats and standings are as of Sunday, August 20.
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