Reno Heads to the Land of Enchantment to Battle the Isotopes

Reno, Nev. – The Reno Aces (31-26, 75-58) will embark on their only journey to the “Land of Enchantment” in their penultimate road trip this week for a six-game series against the Albuquerque Isotopes (31-26, 58-74), Triple-A affiliate of the Colorado Rockies, at Rio Grande Credit Union Field at Isotopes Park.

The clubs first dueled in the final series of the first half at Greater Nevada Field in late June. The Aces dominated the week, winning all six games while outscoring the Isotopes 60-21. Jorge Barrosa was a catalyst for Reno throughout the set. The exciting center fielder singled, doubled, tripled, and stole a base in Reno’s game one, 10-2 win Tuesday. Barrosa and four others had multi-hit games, including José Herrera, Dominic Canzone, Jake Hager, and P.J. Higgins.

Kyle Lewis stole the show with five balls hit over 100 mph in a 14-6 Aces crushing in game three. Lewis went 5-for-5 with two singles, two doubles, and a monster three-run homer. The 2020 American League Rookie of the Year is arguably the best pure hitter in Minor League Baseball and continues to destroy PCL pitching. Lewis, Jake McCarthy, Jordan Lawlar, and the Aces are treacherous for opposing pitching staffs. The BLC Nine ranked fourth in Triple-A in OPS in August (.856).

Lawlar, a top 10 global prospect in baseball at numerous reputable publications, has since joined the BLC Nine and is flashing his dynamic ability on a nightly basis. Lawlar crushed a homer in his first Triple-A game while fitting in wonderfully with the heart of the order. The 21-year-old former sixth overall pick is an X factor down the stretch. Lawlar is the highest-rated prospect to play for the Aces this season and hasn’t skipped a beat since his promotion from Double-A Amarillo, where he hit .322 with three homers over his last 22 games with the Sod Poodles.

While Reno flourished, Albuquerque had a miserable first half of the schedule. The Isotopes went 27-48 and finished 17 games behind the Aces. The second half has been a flip of the script as Albuquerque finds itself in the race with just three series left to play. The last few weeks are sure to bring intrigue. Albuquerque and Reno are racing to catch the Round Rock Express, Las Vegas Aviators, and Tacoma Rainiers in the second-half relay. Whoever lands atop the second-half standings will head to Oklahoma City to face the reeling Dodgers in the PCL Championship.

Albuquerque’s Coco Montes is a massive part of the Isotopes turnaround in the second half. Montes, 26, went on a terrific 18-game run into August, hitting .364 with seven doubles, five homers, and 17 driven in across 82 plate appearances. Montes was in the majors with Colorado the last time the Isotopes faced the Aces. Beyond the promising infielder, Albuquerque has gotten a productive season from Jimmy Herron, who leads the team in games played and steals (26 nabs in 28 tries).

The Aces pitched extraordinarily well in August, highlighted by a resurgent bullpen. The best example of the improved arm barn was last week’s series-opening win over the El Paso Chihuahuas. Josh Green, Stephen Nogosek, Kyle Backhus, Andrew Saalfrank, and Justin Martínez combined for a truly dazzling performance, spinning seven innings of one-run ball with four strikeouts and zero walks. The level of success is even more impressive, considering the constant shuffling in Reno’s bullpen throughout the campaign. Saalfrank, Backhus, and Austin Pope have been phenomenal additions from Double-A Amarillo.

The six-game series begins Tuesday at 5:35 p.m. PT from Isotopes Park.

The Aces return home for their final six-game series of the year starting Tuesday, September 12th at 6:35 p.m. PT against the Salt Lake Bees, the Triple-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels. Tickets are available at www.renoaces.com or by texting T-I-X-X to 21003.