Aces clinch Pacific Northern title, open postseason Wednesday night at Greater Nevada Field against El Paso
Reno is going back to the postseason.
The Aces wrapped up their final eight-game road trip of the season on Friday with a 3-0 loss at Albuquerque, but popped champagne in the locker room anyway thanks to Fresno’s loss at El Paso.
It is Reno’s fourth division title since the franchise was berthed before the 2009 season and first since 2014. The Aces bounced Las Vegas in four games that year then fell to Omaha in five games with the Pacific Coast League title on the line.
The franchise will be chasing its second PCL and Triple-A title, accomplishing both in the 2012 season. Reno beat Pawtucket, the Triple-A affiliate of the Red Sox, in the national title game (just one game) 10-3 in Durham, N.C. Current Cleveland Indian Trevor Bauer started on the bump for the Aces.
Following Tuesday’s day off, Reno will host games one and two of the Conference Championship series against El Paso Wednesday and Thursday then play the final necessary games on the road.
The Chihuahuas won the regular season series with the Aces, 8-7.
Last week: 2-5
Overall: 79-62
Home: 40-30
Away: 39-32
Upcoming Schedule
September 4: HOME vs Albuquerque 2:05 p.m.
September 5: OFF
September 6: Game 1 of PCL semis HOME vs El Paso 7:05 p.m.
September 7: Game 2 of PCL semis HOME vs El Paso 7:05 p.m.
September 8: Game 3 of PCL semis AWAY at El Paso 6:05 p.m.
September 9: Game 4 of PCL semis (if necessary) AWAY at El Paso 6:05 p.m.
September 10: Game 5 of PCL semis (if necessary) AWAY El Paso 5:05 p.m.
Notable Moves
-RHP Jimmie Sherfy, 25, was recalled by Arizona for the second time in his career as part of September’s Major League call ups as rosters expand to 40 players. It was expected for Reno, but also a blow for the playoffs. Sherfy was one of the best relievers in the Pacific Coast League this summer, setting the Aces franchise record with his 32nd career save for the club. Sherfy is 2-1 with a 3.12 ERA and 20 saves (in 23 opportunities) over 49.0 innings with the Aces. He’s struck out 61 batters and only walked 10. He made his Major League debut last month, throwing a pair of 1-2-3 innings in two appearances with three strikeouts and was awarded his first MLB win.
-RHP Braden Shipley, 25, was recalled by Arizona. Shipley has thrown well in his last two appearances with the Aces after a frustrating summer that even saw him make a drip to the disabled list. The Nevada product is 1-0 over his last two starts for the Aces and has allowed just one run on four hits over 12.2 innings with 11 strikeouts and five walks.
-RHP J.J. Hoover, 30, was recalled by Arizona. Hoover was dominant in his limited number of appearances for the Aces. He pitched in nine ballgames, allowing one run on six hits over 10.1 innings (0.87 ERA). He struck out three in a scoreless 1.1 innings of work in his last appearance for Reno last Wednesday in Albuquerque.
-RHP Louis Coleman, 31, was released despite a stellar summer out of the Aces bullpen. Coleman was 2-1 with a 2.30 ERA. He only allowed two home runs over 27.1 innings (an impressive accomplishment in the PCL) and opponents hit just .172 against him.
Who’s hot?
Christian Walker. The Aces slugging first baseman was named the PCL Most Valuable Player in his first season with Reno. Entering Sunday’s home game against Albuquerque, Walker was batting .310 with a franchise-record 32 home runs (t2nd in PCL), 113 RBIs (1st in PCL), 34 doubles (t2nd in PCL), 103 runs scored (1st in PCL), 158 hits (2nd PCL) and 60 walks (9th in PCL).
Who’s not?
Saturday play. Not that it mattered with the Pacific Northern division title already secured, but Reno fell 7-2 to Albuquerque at Greater Nevada Field on Saturday night. The Aces are now 8-14 in Saturday games. It’s their only day of the week with a losing record, although they are 7-7 on Wednesdays. Their best day? Sunday. They were 16-6 on the final day of the weekend before the four-game set with Albuquerque.
Pacific Coast League Standings
Pacific Northern
Reno Aces (ARI) 79-62
Fresno Grizzlies (HOU) 76-65
Tacoma Rainiers (SEA) 66-75
Sacramento River Cats (SF) 63-77
Pacific Southern
El Paso Chihuahuas (SD) 73-68
Salt Lake Bees (LAA) 72-69
Albuquerque Isotopes (COL) 68-72
Las Vegas 51s (NYM) 55-86
American Northern
Colorado Springs Sky Sox (MIL) 80-56
Oklahoma City Dodgers (LAD) 72-68
Omaha Storm Chasers (KC) 68-72
Iowa Cubs (CHC) 67-71
American Southern
Memphis Redbirds (STL) 90-50
Nashville Sounds (OAK) 67-71
Round Rock Express (TEX) 65-72
New Orleans Baby Cakes (MIA) 55-82
*All stats and standings are as of Sunday, September 3.
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