Reno Aces split with Las Vegas Aviators in third series between the teams this season

RENO, Nev. - The Reno Aces concluded their series against the Las Vegas Aviators with a series split, the third time the teams have met this season. The Aces still have not lost a series so far in the 2021 season and have won two series facing Las Vegas prior to the split.

Miguel Aguilar earned all three saves of the series, registering 11 saves in 2021. Aguilar totaled 4.0 innings pitched in the series, allowing only one earned run on four hits with four strikeouts.

In the series opener, the Aces shut out the Aviators for the second time this season, securing the victory 1-0, behind a phenomenal performance from Reno’s bullpen. Humberto Mejia got the start on the bump, throwing 5.0 complete innings while striking out eight en route to his third win of the season. The next three Aces to take the mound were Brandyn Sittinger, Luis Castillo, and Junior Garcia who each threw 1.0 inning and combined for five strikeouts. Seth Beer posted the only RBI in the contest, scoring Ildemaro Vargas on a sacrifice fly to deep right. Earlier in the game, Vargas singled up the middle to become the Aces’ all-time total base leader.

Reno dropped the next three games of the series in high-scoring offensive battles 12-10, 7-3, and 16-5.

Blake Lalli’s club bounced back with a 7-5 triumph Monday night. Beer had a day at the plate, going two for five with three RBIs and took sole possession as the league-leader in doubles in the Triple-A West, with 22. Four Aces posted multiple hits during the contest, accounting for six of the team’s seven RBIs. Humberto Castellanos earned the decision on the mound, progressing to 3-1 on the season.

In the final game of the series, Reno finalized the series split with a 9-7 victory. Both teams were tied 7-7 in the sixth frame until the Aces pushed two runs across in the eighth. Juniel Querecuto gave the Aces an early lead, 4-1, in the second inning on a three-run blast over the right-field wall. Henry Ramos had a standout performance going perfect at the plate, recording three singles, a walk, and a hit by a pitch in five plate appearances in the contest. Mejia picked up the win in five innings of work and progressed to four wins on the season. Aguilar recorded his 11th save of 2021, closing out the game in the final frame.

The Aces head to Oklahoma City for their only series against the Dodgers this season. The first pitch is slated for 5:05 p.m. P.T. from Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark.