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MLB

Waldschmidt, Groover Lead Aces in First Silver State Rivalry Set of 2026

By Reno Aces
April 20, 2026

RENO, Nev. – Things always get interesting when renewing the Silver State rivalry, and the start of the 2026 edition between the Reno Aces and Las Vegas Aviators was no different.

RENO, Nev. – Things always get interesting when renewing the Silver State rivalry, and the start of the 2026 edition between the Reno Aces and Las Vegas Aviators was no different.

Reno got off to a bit of a slow start against Las Vegas, going down by a 3-0 final in game one on April 14. The Aces managed just one hit in that contest, a single from Ryan Waldschmidt in the fifth that helped them avoid being no-hit for the first time in franchise history.

Spoiled in that contest was an excellent start from left-hander Mitch Bratt, who faced only three batters over the minimum thanks to a trio of walks. That was the first time issuing three or more walks at Triple-A (third start), and the last time he had issued three free passes was exactly 600 days prior when he did so in five innings as a member of the Frisco Rough Riders (Double-A). Even further, Bratt became just the eighth Ace in franchise history to exit with a final line of five no-hit innings, joining Kohl Drake who did so earlier this season.

Game two of the series on Jackie Robinson Day (April 15) started much the same way, as the Aces were held without a run through the fourth inning, pushing their scoreless stretch to a total of 13 innings. While Reno broke out of the rut with a five-run fifth inning, the contest still went the way of the Aviators, 8-5. Waldschmidt had two knocks in two official at-bats with two walks, while Kristian Robinson drove in a pair and was 2-for-4.

Following five run-free innings to start game three on April 16, it seemed as if the Aces had turned the corner by taking a 4-1 lead at the end of the sixth. Unfortunately for Reno, they allowed Las Vegas to score nine times in the top of the seventh, eventually leading to a 10-5 Las Vegas victory. It was just the 16th time in franchise history that Reno has allowed nine or more runs in an inning, the last coming when they allowed a franchise record 13 runs (12 earned) to Sacramento on Aug. 28, 2025.

Despite the loss, it was quite the day for LuJames Groover who celebrated his 24th birthday by going a perfect 3-for-3 at the dish with two runs scored and a walk. While he was the 65th total Ace in team history to take the field on his birthday, he is one of just five to record three or more hits in that game, the last being Adrian Del Castillo when he was 3-for-4 on June 21, 2024 at Salt Lake.

Early runs and tough pitching helped the Aces break into the win column for the series on April 17, flipping the script on the Aviators and pulling away with a 10-4 win. Lefty Yu-Min Lin picked up his first win of 2026 after he struck out seven, which matches Dylan Ray for the most Reno strikeouts in a game by a starter this season. Additionally, it matched a Triple-A career best for Lin, who also did so on July 20, 2025 at Albuquerque.

Eight of nine Aces to walk to the plate earned a hit, with multi-hit efforts from Robinson, Anderdson Rojas, and Jack Hurley. However, it was Groover and Jacob Amaya adding the production, as Amaya had a three-RBI double while Groover tallied a sacrifice fly and two-RBI single.

Saturday marked the first extra-innings contest of the season for Reno, but four runs in the top of the 10th by the Aviators gave Las Vegas a 9-6 win on April 18. There was yet again another solid performance from a Reno starter, as Thomas Hatch went five full frames and allowed only one run on four hits with one strikeout but left with a no decision. That marked just the 11th time in franchise history that the Aces have allowed four or more runs in an extra frame, the last when Sacramento scored eight times in the top of the 11th on July 6, 2025.

Robinson had quite the effort, reaching base in all five plate appearances with a 3-for-3 day that included two walks and a run scored. He was one of six Aces that had two or more hits, which also saw the quartet of Waldschmidt, Groover, and Tommy Troy. One of Waldschmidt’s knocks went for three bases, tying Robinson with a team-best three triples this season.

Two Reno Aces made their season debut in the contest, Christian Cerda being the first. First impressions can be everything, and Cerda did his best to introduce himself to the Reno crowd by slugging his first Triple-A homer in his first at-bat, a solo shot to left field. Meanwhile, Andrew Velazquez, a former seventh round pick by Arizona in 2012, returned to the organization and was 2-for-5 with a double.

The Aces made sure to finish the set on a high note, breaking a 4-4 tie in the seventh with a pair of runs that led to a 6-4 win on April 19. Once again eight of nine Aces logged knocks, with Waldschmidt going 3-for-5 while Troy ripped a two-run double for his only hit in three trips. Amaya also delivered in a big way, going 2-for-4 while driving in three runs, including a solo homer in the second inning.

Showing why he’s Arizona’s top prospect, Waldschmidt closed his week with the highest average amongst Aces with at least five at-bats, hitting .391 (9-for-28) with seven runs scored, one double, one triple, two RB and a pair of walks. Meanwhile Groover, last week’s PCL Player of the Week, was just points behind him was Groover batted .381 (8-for-27) with six runs scored, one double, four RBI, and four walks.

However, Waldschmidt and Troy were just two of four Aces that batted over .300 (minimum five at-bats) for the week, and as a team the Aces hit .261 (53-for-203) which ranked sixth of 10 PCL squads. As a team, the pitching staff ERA was slightly down as Reno ranked seventh of 10 PCL squads at 5.89 (36 er, 55.0 ip).

Finally finished with their longest homestand of the season (12 games), the Aces will return to the road for a set of six against the El Paso Chihuahuas that begins on Tuesday, April 21 at 5:35 p.m. PT from Southwest University Park.

Single-game and season tickets are currently on sale for the 2026 season. For more information, fans can visit RenoAces.com or call the ticket office at (775) 334-7000.