Aces Start Strong, Drop Six-Game Set to Rainiers

RENO, Nev. – The Reno Aces (13-26, 50-64) wrapped up a two-week-long road trip in Tacoma against the Rainiers (27-12, 65-49), the Triple-A affiliate of the Seattle Mariners, dropping the series 4-2 at Cheney Stadium.

Reno came out swinging, taking the first two games. In Tuesday’s 7-4 win, AJ Vukovich and Rene Pinto each crushed two home runs to power the offense. Vukovich continued his torrid stretch, launching his team-leading 16th and 17th homers of the season. The red-hot outfielder opened the scoring in the third with a solo blast to center, then followed with another to left center in the fourth. Pinto matched him shot for shot, hitting his ninth and 10th of the year—going back-to-back with Vukovich in the third and adding a no-doubt, two-run homer to left in the eighth. On the mound, Spencer Giesting was magnificent, tossing 6 1/3 scoreless innings while allowing just three hits and two walks with five strikeouts. The southpaw cruised through six frames before running into trouble in the seventh, exiting after a double and a walk. One inherited runner would eventually score, but Giesting still turned in one of his best outings of the year.

The power surge continued Wednesday as Sergio Alcántara homered twice to lead Reno to an 8-3 win. Alcántara turned in his best offensive performance of the season, hitting his first and second long balls of the year—both to right field—one in the second inning and another in the fourth. Top prospect Tommy Troy provided the dagger in the ninth, crushing his first Triple-A homer, a three-run blast to left, to seal the win. Pinto also stayed hot, belting his 11th of the season in the second inning. Starter Dylan Ray earned the victory with 5 2/3 solid innings, holding Tacoma to two runs on five hits without a walk and striking out three, improving to 2-2.

Despite the hot start, Reno dropped the final four games to lose the series. Vukovich still shined, collecting six hits, including two home runs and three RBI. Since July 6, the talented outfielder is hitting .365 (35-for-96) with seven doubles, two triples, five homers, and 18 RBI over 25 games.

The Aces return home to Greater Nevada Field next week to host the El Paso Chihuahuas, the Triple-A affiliate of the San Diego Padres, for a six-game series beginning Tuesday, August 12, at 6:35 p.m. PST.

Single-game tickets for the Reno Aces’ 2025 season 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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