Reno Greets El Paso for Penultimate Series at Greater Nevada Field
RENO, Nev. – The Reno Aces (27-24, 71-55) will close August and open September with a six-game series against the El Paso Chihuahuas (23-28, 55-71) this week at Greater Nevada Field. El Paso is coming off a series loss to the Sacramento River Cats, while the Aces split with the
RENO, Nev. – The Reno Aces (27-24, 71-55) will close August and open September with a six-game series against the El Paso Chihuahuas (23-28, 55-71) this week at Greater Nevada Field. El Paso is coming off a series loss to the Sacramento River Cats, while the Aces split with the Sugar Land Space Cowboys at Constellation Field.
The Aces are hosting the Chihuahuas for the first time this season. El Paso ended Reno’s month-long stretch of series victories at Southwest University Ballpark in May, leaning on the long ball in its home park. The Aces came out firing in game one of that set with booming performances from Alek Thomas and Kyle Lewis, who is back in the Biggest Little City following his latest stint in the majors.
Reno’s pitching staff surrendered 46 runs in four straight losses following the series-opening victory, coughing up 10 home runs. The BLC Nine responded with an offensive explosion in Sunday’s finale. Eight different Aces recorded multiple hits in that win, including Jorge Barrosa, who went 7-for-16 with three home runs and nine driven in during the series. Lewis tallied four extra-base hits and drove in 10 on the week. The 2020 American League Rookie of the Year is as potent of a hitter as you’ll find in the PCL.
Lewis completely took over last Wednesday’s win over the Sugar Land Space Cowboys with a three-run homer in the eighth and the game-winning knock in the ninth. Following another incredible performance, Lewis ranked 2nd in Minor League Baseball in OPS among those with at least 200 plate appearances. The former top global prospect has the sheer ability to take over games and will be close to an impossible task for the Chihuahuas.
El Paso finished the first half with a less-than-stellar 32-43 record, 12 games behind Reno. The Chihuahuas haven’t quite put their losing ways behind them since the break. El Paso still boasts a well-performing lineup, but the pitching staff continues to struggle into the second half. Reno’s pitching has been tremendous in August. The group entered Sunday with a 4.50 ERA, the fifth lowest in Triple-A this month.
The production is even more impressive, considering It’s been an extraordinarily fluid summer for the Aces pitching ranks. Slade Cecconi, Brandon Pfaadt, and Bryce Jarvis earned promotions, while the bullpen continuously turned over as the calendar flipped. After making 26 starts for Reno last season, Ryne Nelson is back in the rotation and fired seven dazzling innings in a series-opening loss to Sugar Land last Tuesday. Nelson struck out five over 4 ⅓ innings in his lone start in El Paso last season. The Chihuahuas scored five runs on five hits.
Brandon Dixon, 31, is destroying PCL pitching in the heart of El Paso’s lineup. Dixon went 15 for his first 46 in August with four doubles, a triple, and five homers. The former Arizona Wildcat joined the Padres right before the Chihuahuas' first meeting with the Aces. El Paso’s offense is no slouch, with solid seasons from Dixon, Tim Lopes, Brett Sullivan, and Taylor Kohlwey. The pitching attack lacks punch, evidenced by the 49 runs they allowed to the Aces in the first meeting.
The series begins Tuesday at 6:35 p.m. at Greater Nevada Field. The Aces have just 12 home games remaining on the schedule, including six, with the Salt Lake Bees starting Tuesday, September 12th.
Single Game tickets are on sale at RenoAces.com, the Greater Nevada Field Ticket Office, or by texting “TIXX” to 21003. Season Memberships are available via RenoAces.com, texting “MEMBER” to 21003, or calling (775) 334-7000.
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