Reno Completes Two-Week Homestand with Six Games Versus Silver-State Rivals

RENO, Nev. – In a series between two clubs jockeying for a playoff berth, the Reno Aces (21-18, 65-49) will host the Las Vegas Aviators (24-15, 58-55), Triple-A affiliate of the Oakland Athletics, in a six-game series beginning Tuesday at Greater Nevada Field.

Reno and Las Vegas opened the second half with a three-game weekend series at Las Vegas Ballpark. The Aces rolled into Sin City with their bats ready, scoring seven runs in the first three innings in Friday’s series opener. Dominic Fletcher blasted two homers in the set, further showing his immense power development in 2023. Fletcher hit a no-doubt three-run shot to the berm in last week’s series opener against the Salt Lake Bees, sparking the BLC Nine’s lineup. The 25-year-old outfielder quickly approaches his professional high in long balls (15 with Double-A Amarillo in 2021).

The Aces debuted two new players in that exciting series win in Vegas, promoting Adrian Del Castillo and Ryan Bliss from Amarillo. Del Castillo has become a staple behind the plate while the Diamondbacks traded Bliss to Seattle at the deadline. The departure of the breakout second baseman is one of many shifts on Reno’s roster. Top pitching prospect Brandon Pfaadt earned a promotion to Arizona along with Slade Cecconi in recent weeks, thinning the rotation. The Aces look altered as they chase down multiple clubs in the second-half standings.

Kyle Lewis remains an absolute behemoth in the heart of the lineup. The 2020 American League Rookie of the Year crushed a homer in his last look at Las Vegas and continues to torment PCL pitching with an advanced approach and incredible power. Lewis and Fletcher, combined with Diego Castillo, Pavin Smith, and Phillip Evans, form an increasingly tricky group to navigate. Add in Del Castillo, Ali Sánchez, Jorge Barrosa, and the newly minted Sergio Alcántara, and it’s not difficult to envision the Aces making a real run down the stretch. Alcántara has already delivered multiple critical hits for the Biggest Little City, including a clutch go-ahead homer in a road series win at Sacramento.

Las Vegas is off to a great start in the second half despite regular roster movement to Oakland. The Aviators are scoring a ton of runs, leaning on first baseman Trenton Brooks, who has double-digit home runs and nearly as many walks as strikeouts in a breakout season. Brooks and Kevin Smith, among others, have offensively pushed Las Vegas into an enviable spot. Smith is enjoying a breakout campaign after posting a measly .777 OPS in 86 games for Las Vegas last season. The Aviators haven’t had much trouble scoring runs in either half but are especially surging at the plate into the dog days of summer.

Reno’s bullpen is emerging as a real strength for manager Blake Lalli. Andrew Saalfrank was dominant in an Aces win last Thursday over Salt Lake with five straight strikeouts in a scoreless outing. Saalfrank has wholly broken out across two levels this season and has emerged as one of the best relievers in the PCL. Stephen Nogosek and Justin Martínez give Lalli some stingy right-handed options late in games, along with José Ruiz and the newest bullpen member in Tyler Chatwood.

The series begins Tuesday at 6:35 p.m. PT from Greater Nevada Field. Prominent promotions are on deck, including Nevada Wolfpack Night on Friday and Military Appreciation Night on Saturday.

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.

-ACES