Aces Host First Half Champion Dodgers at Greater Nevada Field

RENO, Nev. – The Reno Aces (10-11, 54-42) hope to slay the dragon this week when the Oklahoma City Dodgers (13-8, 63-31), Triple-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers, visit “The Biggest Little City,” for a six-game series at Greater Nevada Field.

Oklahoma City played exceptional baseball through the season’s first half, flexing a 50-23 record and a +97-run differential. Reno had the league’s best offense and finished with a respectable 44-31 record, seven games back of first place. The Aces are gunning for an elite second half that would send them to Oklahoma City to face the Dodgers in the PCL Championship series. This week is an actual test for a Reno club that’s playing much better since losing four in a row to Tacoma earlier this month.

The Dodgers ended any first-half championship hopes for the Aces in the first meeting at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark in late May. Oklahoma City took four of six games, with the critical play of the series coming in game three. The Aces grounded into an unorthodox 5-4-3 triple play to end a late threat and give the Dodgers life. Oklahoma City took advantage of every opportunity in that series and throughout the first half, leaning on a stingy pitching staff and clutch hitting.

Jahmai Jones recorded a knock in every game versus Reno in the first meeting. Luckily for the Aces, Jones is now in the Milwaukee Brewers organization with Triple-A Nashville. Oklahoma City still boasts some of the best bats in the PCL in Devin Mann and Michael Busch. The two sluggers rank first (Mann) and second (Busch) on the club in home runs, with OPS numbers approaching 1.000. They could be a challenge for Reno’s staff this week.

The Aces also have plenty of landmines in their ranks, maybe less potent than Dominic Fletcher. Reno’s dynamic center fielder has already matched his season total in homers from a year ago (5) and hasn’t missed a beat after multiple appearances in the majors. Fletcher, Kyle Lewis, and Jorge Barrosa provide patience, power, and outstanding defense in Reno’s outfield. Even after losing their prolific run producer in Dominic Canzone, the Aces have loads of talent on the roster. Pavin Smith mashed two homers last week in Round Rock and continues to heat up in the heart of the lineup.

An inconsistent pitching staff doomed the Aces in the first half, but the group could be a strength down the stretch if things break right. Slade Cecconi had a couple of great starts in Sacramento, while Bryce Jarvis looks more and more impressive with a plus repertoire. Jarvis spun 11 ⅔ innings of one-run ball in two starts in Round Rock last week, generating 26 total swings and misses and 12 strikeouts with a mid-90s fastball and an array of sharp secondaries.

The best-performing bullpen in Triple-A belongs to Oklahoma City. The Dodgers have the lowest team ERA from their relievers, with a handful of pitchers sporting sub-3 ERAs. The PCL is an extreme run-scoring environment, but Oklahoma City has found a way to limit damage and stay in games. This is a strength-on-strength rematch with an elite, albeit floundering, Aces offense and an equally great Dodgers pitching staff.

The six-game series begins Tuesday at 6:35 p.m. PT from Greater Nevada Field.

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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