Reno Looks to Rebound in Salt Lake

RENO, Nev. – The Reno Aces (13-32, 50-70) now head to Salt Lake to take on the Bees (20-25, 49-70), the Triple-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels, for a six-game series at The Ballpark at America First Square following its home series against El Paso.

The BLC-Nine hit .262 with two home runs and 26 RBI, while El Paso powered 12 homers and drove in 49 runs. Despite the rough series, Tristin English stayed hot at the plate, going 6-for-14 (.429) with a double, a home run, and four RBI.

The Bees are coming off a road series loss in Sugar Land, where they managed only two wins before dropping the final three games. They are currently tied with the Las Vegas Aviators for sixth place in the Pacific Coast League’s second half, sitting 9.5 games back of first-place El Paso.

Notable players on Salt Lake’s roster include INF Carter Kieboom and OF Matthew Lugo.

Kieboom, a former top prospect for the Washington Nationals, has been a thorn in Reno’s side this year. In 11 games against the Aces, the 27-year-old is 18-for-46 (.391) with two doubles, three homers, nine RBI, and 29 total bases. He’s also thrived at home, slashing .345/.381/.503 with 12 extra-base hits—including five home runs—and 22 RBI in 36 games. Kieboom enters the series on an eight-game on-base streak, reaching at a .371 clip during that span.

Lugo, ranked the Angels’ No. 25 prospect by MLB Pipeline, has also done damage against Reno this season. In 12 games, the 24-year-old has hit .292 (14-for-48) with three doubles, a triple, two home runs, and 10 RBI. At The Ballpark at America First Square, he’s been even better, hitting .315 (53-for-168) with 22 extra-base hits—15 of them doubles—and 26 RBI in 41 games. The Puerto Rican outfielder also made his MLB debut this season with the Angels, where he posted a .238/.256/.548 line with two doubles, a triple, three homers, and six RBI in 17 games. Containing his bat will be key for Reno.

For the Aces, AJ Vukovich is a player to watch. The outfielder has crushed Salt Lake pitching this year, going 14-for-43 (.326) with five doubles, a triple, two home runs, and 11 RBI. He’s been on fire in August, slashing .354/.426/.604 with three doubles, three homers, and 11 RBI in 12 games.

The six-game series opens Tuesday, August 19, with first pitch set for 6:05 p.m. PST.

Single-game tickets are sold 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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